Vladimir Putin is a "clown" and was dominated by Ukraine, denounces a former ally

Igor Girkin - an intelligence and military veteran who played a central role in the capture of Crimea and parts of Donbass by Vladimir Putin in 2014 - mocked the performance of the Russian leader Igor 'Strelkov' Girkin, is a Russian military veteran and former Federal Security Service officer who played a key role in Russia's annexation of Crimea (

Image: Strelkov/e2w)

A former separatist commander loyal to Vladimir Putin has called the Kremlin leader a "clown" who was outplayed in the war by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Igor Girkin — an intelligence and military veteran who played a pivotal role in Vladimir Putin's takeover of Crimea and parts of Donbass in 2014 — mocked the Russian leader's performance.

Zelensky has often been called a “clown” because he was a television comedian before being elected president, he said.

“But then came the war,” said Girkin, also known by his nom de guerre Igor Strelkov.

Unlike Putin, Zelensky “did not run away” or “hid in a bunker” during the war, he claimed.

Girkin praised Volodymyr Zelensky's approach to war (

Picture:

Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

The Ukrainian leader had "announced, launched and led a general mobilization" of his country's military-age men and "carried out massive NATO arms deliveries".

He had "fooled the Kremlin".

Underdog Zelensky had "firmly and confidently announced...