Russian President Vladimir Putin is like 'an injured lion' who has 'lost both legs and is thrashing about,' a chemical weapons expert has said.
Former army officer Hamish De Bretton-Gordon said Putin has underestimated 'his enemy', Ukraine.
He described Putin's army as 'underprepared' and said they are running out of ammunition.
But Mr De Bretton-Gordon said while the Russian President is "facing strategic defeat militarily," this makes him 'very dangerous' as he could turn to irregular weapons.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Mr De Bretton-Gordon said: "[Putin] is an injured lion.
"He's lost both legs and he's thrashing about - so very, very dangerous at the moment I think.
"He's absolutely underestimated his enemy, which is the worst thing a commander can do.
"I think he thought Ukrainians would capitulate very quickly and he thought the west wouldn't get involved and wouldn't be united.
"Secondly - his army is also just badly prepared - tanks running out of fuel, food. Not enough ammunition.
"That is really terrible.
"He's got it wrong, and it's very difficult to come back from that."
He added: : "What they aren't doing is the basics - the basic platoon-level fighting, the integration required between infantry and tanks.
"Our doctrine says that infantry and tanks must fight together.
"The Russians aren't doing that - that's why all their tanks are being knocked out, because there is nobody to protect them.
"These are top of the range tanks but they're being knocked out really easily.
"Morale must be absolutely shocking for these people.
"It's a whole host of things which is why I think it's so dangerous at the moment."
Mr De Bretton-Gordon has recently published the final chapter of his book 'How to Survive a Chemical or Biological Attack' for free online, in order to help Ukrainian citizens understand how to keep themselves safe.
