UK MI6 chief says Russia to 'run out of steam' in Ukraine; China watching war 'like hawk'

Russia’s forces are about to “run out of steam” in its war effort in Ukraine and Kremlin leer Vlimir Putin will be pushed to halt invasion temporarily, said UK Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) chief Richard Moore, ding that it might provide an opportunity to Ukrainian army to attack. While attending Aspen Security Forum on Thursday, which was also his rare public appearance outside Britain, Moore predicted that Russians would find it more and more challenging to find manpower and material.

“y’re about to run out of steam,” MI6 Chief Richard Moore said.

“Our assessment is Russians will increasingly find it difficult to find manpower, materiel over next few weeks,” he said. “y will have to pause in some way, and that will give Ukrainians opportunities to strike back.”

US, UK share ‘most intimate secrets’ with each or

While Moore went public for first time with its estimate of impact of coordinated expulsions of Russian spies, he ded that measure has “probably reduced ir ability to do ir business to spy for Russia in Europe by half.” Moore also expressed his views on intelligence relationship with US. He revealed that Britain and United States exchange “most intimate secrets” with each or “that keeps our two countries safe”. 

It should be mentioned here that Moore dressed US and UK sharing intelligence information just a few weeks after hes of security services of both nations me an unprecedented joint appearance and warned against China. Earlier this month, FBI Director Chris Wray and MI5 Director-General McCallum jointly urged business tycoons to help government agencies protect corporate secrets from “ft by China”. 

Russia-China ties have 'no limits'; Beijing is in 'driving seat'

In a massive claim regarding Russia-China ties, Moore said that Beijing is in “driving seat”. MI6 said, “ Chinese are helping Russians in Ukraine by buying ir oil… y are selling Russian narrative on Ukraine… around world.” He ded that ultimately though, “China is in driving seat”.

Moore says Xi Jinping watching Russia-Ukraine war ‘like a hawk’

Before Moore, US’ Central Intelligence Chief William Burns h attended Aspen Security Forum on Wednesday and h stated that ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is helping Beijing understand “when and how” mainland should inve Taiwan. However, according to MI6 chief, it was “ too early to tell” what lessons China was learning from conflict in Europe. But, he averred that Chinese President Xi Jinping is watching turn of events “like a hawk”. 

“I think it is too early to tell what lessons [China] will draw from Putin’s misventures in Ukraine” but “Xi Jinping is watching this like a hawk,” said Moore. 

Moreover, Moore said that UK now has “more focus” on China “than any or single subject”. He ded, “For example it has just moved passed counterterrorism in terms of our mission”. 

Around 50% of Russian spies expelled from Europe: Moore

Furr weighing on Moscow’s situation amid Russia-Ukraine war, Moore said that half of all Russian spies operating under diplomatic cover across Europe have been expelled since conflict began in late February. MI6 chief said that Russia’s espionage activities have suffered a significant blow after expulsions of around 400 Russian diplomats from nations in continental Europe, including in France and Germany. 

Moore noted that intelligence agency in West h me “pretty concerted” efforts to hinder Moscow's spying networks since Putin announced so-called “special” military operation in Ukraine. He said, “So across Europe, roughly half – at last count, something north of 400 Russian intelligence officers operating under diplomatic cover – have been expelled”.

Image: AP