Ukraine Russia – live: Wagner mutiny showed ‘corrosive effect’ of war on Putin’s leadership, says CIA director

Wagner mercenaries’ challenge to the Russian regime was a stark reminder of the “corrosive effect” of the war on Vladimir Putin’s leadership, head of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) said. Delivering the annual lecture at the Ditchley Foundation in the UK, William Burns said “disaffection with the war will continue to gnaw away at the Russian leadership”. His comments came a week after the failed mutiny by Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. “That disaffection creates a once-in-a-generation opportunity for us at CIA,” he said, referring to the role of the agency in recruiting human agents in providing intelligence to the agency. In Ukraine, residents of Kyiv woke up to air raid sirens after Russia launched an overnight drone attack, the first attack on the capital in 12 days, an official said. “Another enemy attack on Kyiv,” Serhiy Popko, a colonel general who heads Kyiv’s military administration said. Ukrainian air defence system repelled the drone attacks, the official said, adding that there is no information about possible casualties or damage. Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia is “technically ready” to provoke a localised explosion at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and that there is a “serious threat”. Read More Ukraine holds drills in Zaporizhzhia to prepare for radiation leaks from Russian-held nuclear plant Ukraine’s push to smash Russian defences on the battlefield: ‘Small advances have colossal meaning’ Pence makes a surprise trip to Ukraine and meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Mystery surrounds fate of Russia’s ‘General Armageddon’ in wake of Wagner mutiny