Russia Can't Even Think of Advancing in Ukraine Anymore, Commander Says

Alexander Khodakovsky, a Kremlin-backed commander and former political leader in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in eastern Ukraine, suggested Monday that the Ukrainians' successful counteroffensive in Kharkiv last week has left Russia's troops unable to advance.

In a post on his Telegram channel, Khodakovsky, a commander for the pro-Russian Vostok Battalion, said Ukraine continues transferring its soldiers and equipment in preparation for additional offensives in such a way that prevents Russian President Vladimir Putin's troops from even considering advancing themselves.

"The past week passed without significant changes on the front line, but the relative stability should not mislead anyone," Khodakovsky wrote. "The enemy is preparing, transferring forces and equipment, and accumulating resources."

In the city of Kurakhove in the eastern Donetsk region, Ukraine is regularly unloading trains with equipment and personnel, he said, adding that the Pokrovsk area "is almost not far behind in this regard."

"An interesting technique: they achieved success in one direction, brought us to a state where we do not think about any offensive in this direction, only about stabilizing the front line, and offensive surpluses are transferred to another sector," the commander said.

The successful Kharkiv counteroffensive launched by Ukraine in early September saw it recapture swathes of its territory in days.

"A developed transport infrastructure allows them to maneuver with limited forces, creating accumulations in places where it is necessary according to the plan, and the presence of a plan and success in its implementation is the possession of a strategic initiative," Khodakovsky added.

Khodakovsky said during Ukraine's counteroffensive efforts that he was "depressed by the results of this stage of the war" and that Russia's war efforts have been "sloppy."

The commander said that a lack of manpower is a more minor issue for Russia, and that his unit sometimes has difficulty locating Ukrainian troops in combat and does not have sufficient equipment.

"I have fewer people than I would like—but the main difficulty I have is not in this, but in the fact that sometimes I cannot find the enemy's positions from which they are hitting us," Khodakovsky said. "If suddenly I can, then I don't have enough range to fire at them, or I don't have enough ammo."

British defense officials said on Saturday that, as Ukraine continues with their counteroffensive in the northeast, Russia may be unable to withstand their push in the Luhansk region.

"Russia will likely attempt to conduct a stubborn defense of this area," Britain's Ministry of Defense said in its daily intelligence update. "But it is unclear whether Russia's frontline forces have sufficient reserves or adequate morale to withstand another concerted Ukrainian assault."

Newsweek has contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation for comment.