Vladimir Putin is showing physical signs of "weariness" as Russian troops fail to reach their objectives on the battlefield, a body language expert claims.
The Russian tyrant was seen addressing a Security Council meeting earlier today in which he claimed Moscow was under threat from repeated cyber attacks from Western state actors.
It comes as Ukraine continues to batter the invading Russian troops, with some unverified reports suggesting army recruiters in Donbas are rounding up men with visual impairment and disabilities to fight for Putin.
Since the start of the war, Russia has sustained heavy losses of around 28,000 men, according to Ukrainian estimates, which amounts to almost 20 per cent of the total force Moscow sent across the border on February 24.
The Kremlin has also lost as much as 60% of its equipment, including tanks, artillery launchers and other costly military hardware.
And today the British Ministry of Defence claimed Russian commanders are under extreme pressure to achieve their objectives in Putin's so-called "special operation".
This intense pressure could lead to troops being moved "swiftly" and "without adequate preparation" - which is likely to render them even less capable of taking on the motivated Ukrainian army.
Speaking with The Mirror, body language expert Judi James explained how Putin looked drained during his speech - and was noticeably more weary than his previous appearance when he looked to be visibly suppressing his rage.
She explained: "His body pose suggests lowered energy levels. He is leaning onto his forearms which are both placed on the table.
"This is a common pose in boardrooms but when we look at Putin’s hands the flesh looks splayed out slightly on the table, suggesting a heavy lean[...]"
Ms James explains how Putin's gesticulation - how he emphasises certain words - seems regular for the tyrant before adding that it looks like he's trying to suggest an air of "reasonableness" by making a "throw-away gesture" with his right hand.
Ms James adds: "His sigh as he starts to speak could be a performance of regret but it could also suggest weariness.
"He performs a similar loud intake of breath between his points.
"The suggestion of low energy levels seems to be emphasised when he appears to try to realign his posture at one point, leaning back in a stretch and pulling his elbow in as though trying to take a more upright position.
"His left elbow performs a small pumping movement in towards his ribs at this point which could be a sign he’s re-booting his power and energy signals.
"This doesn’t look like a man totally on the ropes but some of the subtler signals hint at possible weariness."
Ms James's analysis comes amid speculation about Putin's declining health - with his bloated face and spasming hands rumoured to be caused by cancer.
She thinks that his face looks "more evenly puffy" in this clip, but "that effect can be created by the lighting", she told The Mirror.
Yesterday, former government intelligence professional Christopher Steele said the ailing Russian leader is now constantly surrounded by doctors.
He believes the mysterious illness that has plagued the president, 69, has left Moscow reeling as they balance dealing with Putin's health and the war in Ukraine.
Mr Steele, who ran the Russia desk at MI6 in London between 2006 and 2009, told LBC that the "exact details" of his condition were still not known, even to his high-ranking colleagues.
But Putin is in need of around-the-clock medical care, he claimed.
