Putin plotting to kill thousands more innocent civilians in major new assault to mark Ukraine war’s first anniversary

VLADIMIR Putin will target civilians in a blitz to mark the anniversary of his Ukraine invasion. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace thinks the Russian tyrant will “lash out and kill more innocent people”. EPAPutin will target civilians in a blitz to mark the anniversary of his Ukraine invasion[/caption] PABen Wallace thinks the Russian tyrant will ‘lash out and kill more innocent people’[/caption] With the February 24 landmark approaching, he told The Sun: “I think you should expect Russians to step up their indiscriminate targeting of civilian areas. They may try to do something on the ground, on the offensive.” Speaking in Rome, he added: “The Russian army isn’t very good at all, their equipment isn’t good. The Ukrainians can and will fight. They are underestimated by all of us and never stop surprising us.” And 12 months of conflict had exposed the weaknesses in the Russian army and command. It comes as it was announced President Putin would give a major state of the union address on February 24. He has already stepped up missile attacks on the war-torn nation in the last few days, including on power supplies. But Mr Wallace expressed his hope that despite dark days to come – Ukraine was ready to fight back. Ukraine said yesterday that a new offensive had already begun as Russia unleashed missile and drone strikes.