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The recent 'narrative' that Putin is enraged by the Ukrainian occupation in the Kursk region is a bit twisted from the truth.
ALexander Mercouris said that the Ukrainian brigade(s) massed near the border with Russia. Russians had to know they were there but did nothing. Mercouris believes they assumed the Ukrainian forces were massed to defend against an anticipated Russian offensive in the Sumy region. So the Russian forces did not take the most rudimentary steps in setting up defensive lines etc. Mercouris said this is surely incompetence and someone(s) would surely be punished, fired etc. by Putin. So I think it's likely the 'Putin Rage' story is not 'halp! halp! The Ukrainians have us pinned down!.' Instead it is more like, what idiot(s) did nothing while the Ukrainians massed on the border?!"

THIS guy...?

Past comes back to haunt struck off barrister turned Russia commentator

Disbarred for making a series of outlandish assertions - including the claim that he had been kidnapped and blackmailed by one of Britain’s most senior judges - former barrister Alexander Mercouris’ credibility had surely hit rock bottom.

Indeed the Bar Standards Board described his behaviour as “unhelpful and profoundly dishonest”.

Within a few years however Mr Mercouris had managed to reinvent himself, using his powers of persuasion to become a commentator on world affairs for Russian TV news outlets and websites.

He is regularly interviewed by the pro-Putin news channel RT, which is funded by the Russian government, for his views about topics such as the Ukraine crisis, the defection of US whistle-blower Edward Snowden and Syria.

But his past is now threatening to come back to haunt him.

One of Mr Mercouris’s former legal clients is suing him for damages over his “appalling” behaviour towards her in the case which led to him being struck off.

Lorna Jamous is taking the former barrister to court, claiming he caused her psychological and financial damage after lying to her in an action she brought against Westminster Council after her son was taken into care for a year.