Vladimir Putin was due to order a mass mobilisation of Russian forces in a major speech on the invasion of Ukraine - but he was nowhere to be seen.
The President was expected to announce a mass mobilisation of the nation's military, signifying a major escalation of the conflict.
Stream Sky News live & on demand with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 1 month free. Offer ends 31 October, 2022 "Putin was invested on not going big, on being able to do this on the cheap if you like," he told Sky News Australia's Tom O'Connell on Wednesday. Prof Blaxland said Putin was also likely facing pushback from senior members of the Kremlin over his invasion of Ukraine.
"They're butting up against the limits of that right now and that's why they've run out of momentum."