Not as fast as under Kharkov: Reznikov evaluated the nature of the Armed Forces advancement in the south
This was stated by the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Alexei Reznikov in an interview with Financial Times. "The counter -offensive of the Ukrainian soldiers in the Kherson direction is moving more slowly than in Kharkiv, as it is an agricultural region with irrigation channels that Russians can use as defense trenches," Reznikov said.
The head of the Ministry of Defense noted that it is necessary to take into account the reinforcement of 1,200 Chechen fighters who arrived in the Kherson region by order of the Russian military command. According to Reznikov, they are used to strengthen the defensive positions of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and not allow the front troops to leave them.
However, the head of the defense department is convinced that despite a certain fatigue of the Armed Forces fighters after a six -day counter -offensive, the morale of Ukrainian soldiers is high, and this is a good sign that Russia can be defeated. Reznikov added that despite the lightning breakthrough of the Ukrainian army near Kharkiv, which was better than expected, Russian units can go on a counter -offensive.
In order not to yield to the territories conquered, Ukraine needs to ensure its safety. "The counter -offensive liberates the territory, and after that you have to control it and be ready for protection. Of course, we must worry because this war has worked us for years," Reznikov stressed.
We will remind, on September 12 the units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation departed deep into the Kherson region, so that the artillery from the left bank of the Dnieper was obtained on the positions of the Armed Forces. According to the Polish observer Yaroslav Volsky, the Russians departed from the leading positions in this direction up to 10 km. Defense Minister Alexei Reznikov summed up the meeting with Western allies in Ramstein.