Vldimir Putin is facing troop revolt as Wagner thugs have been filmed beating one of their own wounded officers with shovels. The shocking footage appears to have been taken in the eastern

city of Bakhmut, where fierce fighting has been raging for months. Captured by a Ukrainian drone, the video shows four Russian Wagner mercenary soldiers carrying their comrade across a scene

of demolished homes while supporting his arms and legs.

It comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought Western support for his country in surprise visits to Britain and France on Wednesday, pushing for fighter jets to battle Russian

The embattled leader's European tour and pleas for more advanced weapons came as Ukraine braces for an expected Russian offensive and hatches its own plans to retake land held by Moscow's

forces.

Western support has been key to Kyiv's surprisingly stiff defense, and the two sides are engaged in grinding battles.

President Zelensky thanked the British people for their support since "Day One" of Moscow’s invasion nearly a year ago, as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said fighter jets were "part of the

conversation" about aid to Ukraine.

"Nothing is off the table," he said at an evening news conference at a British army base. "We must arm Ukraine in the short term, but we must bolster Ukraine for the long term."

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You

can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

President Zelensky said Ukraine needs all kinds of supplies, not just planes, but also ammunition and long-range missiles

"Without this, there would be stagnation which will not bring to anything good," he said, calling his visit to Britain "very fruitful."

Wednesday's travel was only Zelensky's second foreign trip since Russia invaded on February 24 2022, after a December visit to Washington, where he met with President Joe Biden and addressed

the US Congress.

Zelensky has been attempting to allay allies' hesitation to send modern fighter jets because of how difficult they are to fly and their concern that doing so would escalate the conflict.

The UK has repeatedly said it’s not practical to provide Ukraine with British warplanes. But in a shift, the Government said Wednesday it was "actively looking" at whether Ukraine could be

sent Western jets, and was "in discussion with our allies" about it.

Britain also said it would train Ukrainian pilots in Britain on "NATO-standard fighter jets" within weeks.

Sunak spokesman Max Blain said the Government was exploring “what jets we may be able to give” over the coming years, but had not made a decision on whether to send its F-35 or Typhoons.

"We think it is right to provide both short-term equipment … that can help win the war now, but also look to the medium to long term to make sure Ukraine has every possible capacity it

requires," he said.

See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive.