Ukraine news latest — Putin faces chaos as desperate dictator axes key staff in new purge of frayed Kremlin inner-circle

RUSSIA’S paranoid dictator has axed the infamous “Butcher of Mariupol” from his role as deputy defence minister, the Kremlin reports. Colonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev, who was known as a “Putin favourite”, rose to infamy after Russia’s brutal destruction of the city of Mariupol. Mizintsev only replaced General Dmitry Bulgakov in September, but now becomes the latest victim of Putin’s Kremlin purges. Since Russia launched its bloodthirsty invasion of Ukraine, the desperate dictator has taken to axing key members of Kremlin staff as he looks to judge responsibility for the failing war. Announcing the news, Russian state TV military correspondent Alexander Sladkov said the reason for the sacking was “difficult to guess.” Read our Ukraine war blog below for the latest news…