Vladimir Putin wants a "genocide of Ukrainians" instead of seizing land, frontline soldiers claim.
A Ukrainian soldier says Russian troops now appear to have little interest in seizing land, but instead want a "genocide" of his people.
Volunteer fighter Dmytro Vasyliovvch Kurylyak, 31, based in Odessa, says the Kremlin troops he has faced "seek only to destroy’"
The ex-warehouse worker, who went to the fight on the frontline leaving his wife Liliya, 28, and his son Maksym, four - who is battling cancer.
The father-of-one was shot in both legs in late April, also suffering a shrapnel wound on his back, and stays in Odessa with his comrades as he continues to recover.
He predicts the war will last two more years.
Speaking to Metro.co.uk, Dmytro said: "When the war began, certain countries gave us from five to seven days.
"Others said it would be a month until we fell and that all Ukraine had was spirit. It’s been six months now.
"Yes, the Russians occupy some areas, but they don’t want to seize Ukraine....So this simply is a genocide of Ukrainian people.
"They don’t want to conquer the country, they want to destroy it. That’s all, and it’s a big difference."
It comes after recent reports claimed Putin’s health is ‘sharply deteriorating’ as he can't attend meetings.
The Russian President's health has been the subject of speculation for months, with rumours circulating that he may have used a body double to attend some events.
With the despot's war in Ukraine not going to plan, there have been suggestions that Putin is wavering between resorting to nuclear weapons or conceding defeat.
As concerns over the leader's health intensify – speculation has suggested he could be dealing with cancer or Parkinson's - insiders claim that his security officials have delivered the news to Putin that he has run out of “good” options.
With Ukraine officials claiming to have killed more than 44,000 Russian troops and at least 1,800 tanks obliterated, Putin's invasion has endured a calamitous first six months.
Kremlin hopes of a speedy victory have been dealt a series of blows, with Crimea coming under fire from kamikaze drone strikes in recent days. Russia annexed the region in 2014.
Kyiv's resistance has continued with the Ukraine capital putting dozens of captured and destroyed Russian tanks on display.
