DESPERATE! OBESE RUSSIAN GENERAL CALLED UP AGE 67

UKRAINE CRISIS - VLAD SCRAPING BARREL

- JOHN WARD

RUSSIAN top brass are in such short supply that Mad Vlad has sent an obese, vodka-slurping retired general to the frontline in Ukraine.

The 20-stone officer, 67, known as General Pavel, is said to be in charge of special forces operating in the east of the country after his predecessor was seriously injured.

General Pavel, who retired from active service five years ago, is so fat his uniform is specially made and he wears two sets of body armour to cover his girth.