Major General Kyrylo Budanov, 36, said he believed a turning point in the conflict will come later this summer and will eventually see Putin ousted from office.

‘The breaking point will be in the second part of August,’ General Budanov told Sky News.

‘Most of the active combat will have finished by the end of this year. It will eventually lead to the change of leadership of the Russian Federation. This process has already been launched.

‘As a result, we will renew Ukrainian power in all our territories.’