Putin ‘basically stuck’ and running out of options – as US ‘sees signs Russia is pulling out of Kherson’ | Ukraine latest

Earlier we brought you comments from Ukraine’s defence minister Oleksii Reznikov, who said the Russian withdrawal from Kherson would take at least a week. 

In a wide-ranging interview with Reuters news agency, he also touched on more topics… 

Russia is becoming more disciplined

Moscow’s troops have become more brutal and more disciplined since the appointment of General Sergei Surovikin as the commander of Russia’s invasion forces, Mr Reznikov said. 

Asked if Moscow’s tactics had changed under General Surovikin, Mr Reznikov said “yes.”

He said Russia is now using “terrorism tactics” against civilians and critical infrastructure, using cruise missiles, rocket missiles and drones.

“They don’t send to Ukraine one or two rockets as before; they use 40 in a day and then wait – and then again, and again,” he said.

Plays down use of nuclear weapons

The defence minister said he did not believe Russia would use nuclear weapons in Ukraine as it would be neither pragmatic nor practical. 

Vladimir Putin has indicated he would use nuclear weapons if needed to defend Russia, but Mr Reznikov said: 

“I don’t think they will use it. But again, when you have a monkey with a grenade for a neighbour you have to estimate all kinds of risks.”

Ukraine could ask for help funding Starlink

The country made need financial aid if it is forced to start paying for Starlink’s satellite internet systems, Mr Reznikov said. 

The systems are currently being provided for free by Elon Musk’s company SpaceX, but Mr Musk previously complained publicly of the financial losses his company was incurring in Ukraine. 

The multibillionaire later promised to keep funding services for free. 

“We got his promises that he will continue to arrange the service for our Starlinks in Ukraine,” Mr Reznikov said, adding that some satellites were being provided for free but others were being paid for by Ukraine.