The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, thanked the commander of the Joint Group of Forces in Ukraine, General Sergei Surovikin, for the retreat of the Russian army from Kherson. He appreciated the actions of the command in the Telegram channel.
Kadyrov agreed with the opinion of Yevgeny Prigozhin, a recidivist criminal and founder of the Wagner PMC, that Surovikin "saved a thousand soldiers who were in actual encirclement." Surovikin, he said, made a difficult but right choice between "senseless sacrifices" for the sake of loud statements and saving soldiers.
Also in the statement, Kadyrov acknowledged that Kherson is a difficult area, to which it is difficult to constantly bring ammunition and form a reliable rear. He asked why none of this had been done since the first days of the “special operation”. At the same time, Kadyrov believes that the actions of the army cannot be called the “surrender” of Kherson:
“In this difficult situation, the general acted wisely and far-sightedly – he evacuated the civilian population and ordered a regrouping. So there is no need to talk about the "surrender" of Kherson. "Surrender" together with the fighters. And Surovikin protects the soldier as well, and occupies a more advantageous strategic position – convenient, safe. Everyone knew that Kherson is a difficult combat territory from the very first days of the special operation. The soldiers of my units also reported that it was very difficult to fight in this area. Yes, it can be kept, it is possible to organize at least some supply of ammunition, but the cost will be numerous human lives. And this forecast does not suit us.
Therefore, I believe that Surovikin acted like a real military general, not afraid of criticism. He is responsible for the people. He sees better. Thank you, Sergey Vladimirovich, for taking care of the guys! We will carry out the order of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, we will not stop hitting the enemy and we will not get tired.
Earlier, Prigozhin told RIA Novosti that the decision to withdraw troops from the right bank of the Dnieper is not easy, but it indicates the readiness of the command to take responsibility for the lives of soldiers. Prigozhin called the withdrawal of troops with minimal losses "an achievement of Surovikin", which "does not do honor to Russian weapons, but emphasizes the personal qualities of the commander." During the withdrawal of troops, the general acted like a man who is not afraid of responsibility, Prigozhin added.
“It is important not to agonize, not to fight in paranoia, but to draw conclusions and work on mistakes. And then to understand who is right, who is wrong and what is the essence of the problem.”
On the evening of November 9, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Surovikin instructed to withdraw Russian troops across the Dnieper River. Surovikin himself in a statement argued that Kherson could not be supplied and function. “The most appropriate option is to organize defense along the barrier line of the Dnieper River,” he said.
Surovikin was appointed commander of the United Group of Forces on October 8, after Colonel General Alexander Lapin was removed from his post as commander of the Central Military District. Kadyrov called Surovikin "a real general and warrior" and said that he had personally known him for almost 15 years. At the same time, both Kadyrov and Prigozhin criticized Lapin. The head of Chechnya accused Lapin of the loss of Liman by the Russian military. According to him, he taught the star of the hero of Russia for the capture of Lisichansk, although in fact "he was not there and was not around."