Ramzan Kadyrov, president of the Russian republic of Chechnya, on Saturday called the Russian president Russian President Vladimir Putin To use nuclear weapons in Ukraine after Russia Facing defeat in Liman City.
Putin launched his “special military operation” on Ukraine on February 24, hoping for a quick victory against his eastern European neighbor. However, Ukraine responded with a stronger than expected defensive effort, preventing Russia from achieving key objectives after more than seven months of fighting. The experts have raised concerns That Putin, facing mounting losses, could turn to nuclear weapons.
Ukraine achieved its latest victory at Lyman, a city in the Donetsk region, forcing the Russian forces to retreat after as many as 5,000 soldiers were trapped in the strategic position. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that the forces had “retreated to more advantageous lines”.
Kadyrov, Putin’s longtime ally supported the invasionAfter the loss, the Russian president said he should strike with “low-yield nuclear weapons” on Ukraine.
MIKHAIL METZEL / SPUTNIK / AFP via Getty Images
“I do not know what the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation offers to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, but in my personal opinion, more drastic measures should be taken, up to the declaration of martial law in the border areas and the use of low-yield nuclear weapons. It is not necessary to take every decision with an emphasis on society. The Western American – he has already said it and done a lot against us,” he wrote in the Telegram Post.
Russia’s defeat at Lyman comes just a day after Putin announced that Russia had annexed four regions of Ukraine, including Donetsk, after the referendums. US officials described it as a “hoax.” The Russian leader vowed to defend the territory “with all our strength and with all our capabilities,” according to Reuters.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry tweeted a video of their soldiers raising the Ukrainian flag at Lyman on Saturday – adding that Ukraine “has and will continue to have the decisive vote on the day and any future ‘referendums’.”
Ukraine made notable gains in September, forcing Russian forces to withdraw from other major cities including Izyum and Palaklia after successful counterattacks in the Kharkiv region.
Kadyrov, in his Telegram message, criticized Russian military officials, including Colonel Alexander Lapin, who said that he had failed to provide the units with the necessary communications and ammunition supply.
“The favoritism of the army will not do good,” he wrote. “In the army, it is necessary to appoint as leaders people of strong character, courageous, principled, who are worried about their fighters, who tear their teeth to their soldier, who know that no subordinate can be left without help and support. There is no place for nepotism in the army, especially in times difficult.”
Russia had used Lyman as a transportation hub amid the invasion and is located near the border with Luhansk, another area Putin claimed to annex this week, according to the Associated Press.
NEWSWEEK I contacted the Russian Ministry of Defense for comment.
Update 01/10/2022 12:13 PM ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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