Overview

• Sir Richard Moore said Vladimir Putin is “stringing us along” and has “bitten off more than he can chew,” arguing Russia cannot subjugate Ukraine by force.
• He accused the Russian leader of lying to the world and his own people and of mortgaging Russia’s future for a personal legacy.
• Moore said outside backing from China, Iran and North Korea has helped sustain Moscow’s war effort and delayed pressure for a ceasefire.
• MI6 launched a dark‑web portal called Silent Courier to let people securely contact the service, with a direct invitation to Russians to share sensitive information.
• Moore departs at the end of September after five years leading MI6, with career spy Blaise Metreweli set to become the agency’s first female chief, as recent U.S. outreach has failed to yield a breakthrough.