️🇷🇺🇺🇦🇪🇺 The Telegraph: Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing to escalate his war against Ukraine and increase hybrid attacks on Kiev's allies in Europe.

Western intelligence sources believe that he is laying the groundwork for a "stealth recruitment" after the elections this weekend, in which thousands of Russians may enlist.

Intelligence sources say Putin has been backed into a corner, with Russian forces suffering 1.5 million casualties, including 500,000 dead, and his invasion effectively at a standstill.

It is believed that he decided to escalate rather than enter into meaningful peace talks.