Putin and his commanders should ‘share same fate as Nazis’, says Ben Wallace,

Russian military leaders are as much to blame for the Ukraine invasion as President Vladimir Putin – and both should face consequences, the UK defence secretary has said.

In a major speech today, Ben Wallace is expected to not mince his words, and tell the world bluntly, that Mr Putin and his inner circle should share the same fate as the Nazis, who ended up defeated and facing the Nuremberg trials for their atrocities.

It comes as President Putin prepares to stage a military parade to celebrate Victory Day in Russia, marking the defeat of Hitler’s fascists in 1945.

According to extracts briefed to the Telegraph and Times, Mr Wallace will say: “Through their invasion of Ukraine, Putin, his inner circle and generals are now mirroring the fascism and tyranny of 70 years ago, repeating the errors of last century’s totalitarian regimes.”

He will add: “Their fate must also, surely, eventually be the same.”

Before his audience at the National Army Museum in London, he is expected to say: “Their unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine, attacks against innocent citizens and their homes, and the widespread atrocities – including deliberately against women and children – corrupts the memory of past sacrifices and Russia’s once-proud global reputation.”

He will also criticise the behaviour of Russian commanders for war crimes and their incompetence in a campaign which has failed to secure the gains expected by Mr Putin by saying the generals in their “manicured parade uniforms” are “utterly complicit in Putin’s hijacking of their forebears’ proud history” of resisting fascism.

Should be court-martialled

“All professional soldiers should be appalled at the behaviour of the Russian army,” Mr Wallace will add.

“Not only are they engaged in an illegal invasion and war crimes, but their top brass have failed their own rank and file to the extent they should be court-martialled.”