The pro-Kremlin leader of the Russian region of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, said that he supports the decision of the Ministry of Defense of Russia and the Ukrainian command to withdraw troops from part of the Kherson region, CNN reports.

Kadyrov, who repeatedly criticized the ministry and the management of the operation, said that General Serhiy Surovikin “saved a thousand soldiers who were in a real environment.”

“General Surovikin, having weighed all the pros and cons, made a difficult but correct choice between senseless sacrifices for the sake of loud statements and saving the priceless lives of soldiers,” he said.

“There is no need to talk about the surrender of Kherson. “Surrender” means with the fighters. And Surovikin protects the fighters and occupies a more advantageous strategic position – a convenient, safe one,” Kadyrov wrote in his Telegram channel.

“Everyone knew from the first days of the special operation that Kherson is a difficult combat area. The soldiers of my units also reported that it was very difficult to fight in this area”, especially “without the possibility of a stable and regular supply of ammunition and without the formation of a strong and reliable rear”.

But again criticizing past mistakes, he asked: “Why wasn’t this done from the very first days of the special operation? That’s another issue.”

“I believe that Surovikin acted like a true military general who is not afraid of criticism. He is responsible for the people,” Kadyrov concluded.

And Prigozhin praises the retreat

Defending Russia’s decision to withdraw, the head of Wagner’s mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin, an associate of General Surovikin, said: “Of course, this is not a winning step in this war, but it is important not to agonize, not to give in.” to the point of paranoia, but let’s draw conclusions and work on correcting our mistakes.”