Russia-appointed official criticises Moscow’s generals amid frustration at Ukrainian fightback 

Ukraine says it has recaptured 29 towns and villages in the south of the country in the past week after its forces broke through Russian lines and pushed aside some of Moscow’s strongest forces in another rapid advance.

The counter-offensive in Kherson, which follows a series of dramatic 200-mile advances along the frontline in the northeast of the country, is another humiliation for Vladimir Putin and his crumbling invasion.

In a rare public rebuke from the Kremlin’s top, a Russian-installed official in the region expressed contempt for Moscow’s generals and suggested that Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu – one of Putin’s closest allies – shoot himself.

Kirill Stremousov, a violent anti-vaccination blogger who was appointed deputy head of the annexed region, attacked the Defense Ministry’s “ministers, generals, corrupt looters and other scum” who disappointed their “heroes” on the front lines.

He praised tough Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a pre-war cheerleader who has condemned military shortcomings, and demanded “more drastic measures” such as “the use of low-yield nuclear weapons.” Putin has promoted Kadyrov to colonel general.

A Ukrainian official claims Chechen units are being ordered to fire at retreating Russian troops — a chilling echo, if confirmed, of the infamous Soviet tactics Joseph Stalin used in World War II.

Videos posted on social media yesterday showed a Russian tank crew surrendering in Kherson and Ukrainians triumphantly towing captured military vehicles. During their chaotic retreat to the east last month, Moscow troops left behind hundreds of pieces of armor.

The footage shows three Russians stepping out of the BMP-2 tank with their hands raised in what appears to be an arranged surrender

Ukrainian forces have advanced at least 20 miles along the western bank of the Dnipro River, blowing up key bridges to block supplies and thwart escape – trying to capture the enemy forces in a daring pincer movement.

Natalia Humeniuk, a military spokesman, said Kiev troops had liberated more than 250 square miles and were moving “forward” in several directions.

She added that they were already facing conscripts detained in Putin’s panicked recent mobilization that saw up to a million men fleeing Russia. “They are not very well prepared and are used more like cannon fodder,” she said.

The counter-attack on Russian forces, trapped under heavy bombardment for weeks and struggling to replenish food, fuel and ammunition, is based on plans tightened over the summer with US and British advisers.

But after weeks of struggling to move forward, there are suspicions that Russian forces are retreating to dig in around the city of Kherson.

That is the strategic importance of Kherson, which supplies water to Crimea and is the gateway to Ukraine’s ports on the Black Sea. Putin has reportedly ordered generals to send the best surviving troops of their degraded forces to defend the region.

Russian-installed official Kirill Stremousov has spoken out against the “ministers, generals, corrupt looters and other scum” in the Defense Ministry who abandoned their “heroes” on the front lines. Pictured: Russian troops surrender to Ukrainians in Kherson

Analysts believe that Ukraine is moving forward on two fronts towards Beryslav, a town on the banks of the Dnipro, about 50 kilometers south of the settlements that have been recaptured in recent days. It is hoped that this will cut the Russian troops in half and capture several thousand troops.

“If Ukraine reaches Berislav from two sides, they can surround Russian troops,” said Konrad Muzyka, a Polish defense expert. “They want the Russians to leave without fighting, so they’re trying to create the conditions to retreat so they can protect cities from the terrible destruction in Mariupol.”

Pressure is mounting on Putin after he declared Russia’s illegal annexation of Kherson and three other occupied regions following last month’s mock referendums, but his sputtering military machine was forced to pull out.

According to Ukrainian figures, Moscow has lost 61,330 troops, along with 2,449 tanks and 266 military jets. Ukrainian soldiers admit they are sickened by the slaughter in battles against ill-trained and ill-equipped conscripts sent to the front lines.

“I have never seen so many dead, expectant and injured people in my life,” said one fighter.

Yesterday, three people were killed in rocket attacks in Zaporizhzhya, the only capital of the annexed regions still in Ukrainian hands. The attack is feared to herald a Russian attack on the city.

Additional reporting: Kate Baklitskaja