Russian TV Compares Kherson Retreat to Worst Military Defeats in History

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Russian TV Compares Kherson Retreat to Worst Military Defeats in History
By: Brendan Cole - Newsweek News -11-10-22
Re: https://www.newsweek.com/solovyov-ru...8569?piano_t=1

Audio link report: onsite: https://www.newsweek.com/solovyov-ru...8569?piano_t=1

Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov referenced historical Russian military defeats during a discussion about Moscow's withdrawal from Ukraine's Kherson.

The host of Evening with Vladimir Solovyov on Russia 1 struck a somber tone when he started Wednesday's show by saying he had intended to discuss the U.S. midterm elections before Russia's retreat from the southern Ukrainian city had overtaken events.

He then introduced a clip of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announcing the withdrawal of Russia's forces from the west bank of the Dnieper River.

In another setback for Russian President Vladimir Putin, Shoigu said the decision was made with the recommendation of Russian forces commander, General Sergei Surovikin, because it would "save the lives of our military personnel and the combat capability of our forces."

"This is a very difficult decision," which could only be taken by a "very courageous man," Solovyov said in the clip tweeted by Russian analyst Julia Davis as he took aim at the West's role in the war referred to previous conflicts Russia was involved in.

"We lost the Russo-Japanese war," he said, referring to the humiliating defeat for imperial Russia in 1905. "We lost World War I. It turned out that our social structure by any means did not prevent a revolution. There was a long war between 1914 and 1918 we lost."

This sparked a lively exchange among the panelists, which he interrupted by saying, "Didn't we lose Finland?"—in reference to the Winter War in which Moscow's troops were defeated after invading Finland in 1939.

"We are at war with NATO," he said. "Obviously we didn't count on NATO fighting us on this scale."

In his view, it was important "not to succumb to emotions" as well as "respect the decision of the military" given how "painful and frightening it is."

"But war has its own laws. We are confronted by 50 percent of the world's economy which produces weapons," he said.

Top Russian propagandist says that Russia waited to announce the Kherson withdrawal until after Nov. 8, to make sure it does not help Joe Biden and the Democrats in the midterms. More in my recent article: ⤵️https://twitter.com/i/status/1590580794850185217

However, he defended the wisdom of Russia's decision and did not criticize Putin directly or his commander: "Victory in war happens when an army is destroyed. It is crucially important not to allow for our army to be destroyed."

One pundit noted that there had been speculation about the Russian withdrawal from Kherson for days, which spurred Solovyov to say that leaving before November 8 would have helped the Democrats in the U.S. and been a "gift to [President Joe] Biden."

"That is precisely why we announced it after the eighth, on the ninth when it can't influence the U.S. elections," he said.

Panelists on Russian state media have been boasting about Moscow's ability to influence the American electoral process.

With some Republicans voicing concerns about the cost of U.S. military support for Kyiv, GOP gains in the midterms may have served Putin's interests more.

Former British intelligence officer Philip Ingram told Newsweek that the withdrawal from Kherson was an admission that Russia cannot sustain operations across the river and is in danger of losing its forces there.

"It is a recognition that withdrawal is the only option but given the defense planning that has been going on East of the Dnieper for weeks, it is clear that Russia is resetting its defensive line, utilizing a massive natural barrier to allow it to stop further Ukrainian advances."
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Personal note: Putin is out of touch with his apparent military decisions and the
backbone of the Ukraine's. It's their homeland and they will defend it at all cost.
Whomever is calling the shots is doing one hell of a good job. Catching them
cold like they do - it throughs them off balance and cost them dearly.
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Putin is back in the Cold War era and since then he's relied on others who are
lacking the military skills of warfare. Bringing in materials from his outside
resources and not having been trained or the guts to stand their ground
is both smart and shows their heart is not in this Putin war!
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If he gets his ass kicked that will wake up the People in Russia who didn't
want the war to begin with. Many have relatives in Ukraine as does
Ukraine have people in Russia. Taking another man's lands because you
think you can will cost you dearly. NATO & US support have done a swell
job insuring Ukraine has the materials needed to CYA (cover your ass)
and fight back like they do is remarkable and shocking to Putin. His
cake walk war has gutted him and lessoned his respect to his people
in Russia - who didn't want that war to begin with - plus having to
bury their manpower and kids in his process.
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There is no sympathy for Putin - he's old school and is still fighting the
cold war within his mind! Plainly he's out of touch. How he recovers
from this ordeal leave much to be desired - his people will not forget!
Nor will they support any additional such maneuver's against other
neighbors that border Russia.
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