Desperate Putin ‘recruits ultras football hooligans’ for Ukraine war as he faces ‘100,000 losses’

Russian football hooligans are set to become cannon fodder for Vladimir Putin who is desperate to replenish numbers on the battlefield.

The notorious fans have been allegedly mobilised into the 106th guard division of airborne forces, ready for deployment, following reports the Kremlin could lose more than 100,000 troops before Christmas.

Speaking in his nightly address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said as Putin's army persists to advance in the Donetsk region he expects massive losses.

He said: "Russia could lose a hundred thousand of its soldiers...and only God knows how many mercenaries, by the end of the year."

The once-football hooligans are expected to fill the gap and are ready to defend their motherland according to Readovka.

Footage shows about 36 ultra fans marching and undergoing war drills as they prepare for the grim battlefields in Eastern Ukraine.

They are seen wearing skull facemasks pack marching down the road and firing rifles at practice range.

Reports suggest some of the men are from Tula, 125 miles south of Moscow, where FC Tula Arsenal plays.

No identities were given of the supposed draftee hooligans.

Ukraine military claims 89,000 troops have been killed so far.