Russia is prepared to lose up to 50,000 troops as Vladimir Putin must win in Ukraine at all costs, say intelligence chiefs.
Sources said Putin is not concerned by the death toll of his own soldiers, which could stand at 3,500 men so far.
Many of those killed are from Russia ’s most experienced forces such as the Spetsnaz and Airborne units.
It is feared Putin will order military chiefs to use increasingly brutal tactics.
Weapons expert Hamish de Bretton-Gordon said: “If Russia gets bogged down I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they used chemical weapons.
“We must call Russians out and create red lines around chemical weapons use and attacking hospitals.”
It is understood MI6 agents are operating on the ground, sending reports to NATO.
And it is feared Russian agents in the UK may make “diversionary attacks” here.
