Russian expert says assessments of 'demoralisation' among Ukraine's troops 'not accurate'

In a stunningly rare assessment of Russia-Ukraine war, a retired Russian colonel and current defence columnist, Mikhail Khodaryonok, seriously downplayed Russian President Vlimir Putin’s nuclear missile threats against Finland while also calling Moscow’s assessment of 'demoralisation' of Ukraine troops 'not accurate'. Khodaryonok me remarks while appearing on Russian state television on Monday and critiqued his country’s performance in conflict which has now entered day 83. 

While referring to reports stating Ukraine's army’s low morale during a panel discussion on Russia’s state-owned television channel, Khodaryonok said, “First of all, I must say, we should not take information tranquillizers”, according to a Business Insider report.  He said, “All of that, put mildly, is false." Khodaryonok also said that reports are “not indicative of general mood” while ding that Ukrainian soldiers are highly motivated and “rey to die for ir country” which is “one of most important components”. 

Khodaryonok slams Russia’s logistical failures

Furrmore, Khodaryonok criticised professionalism and logistical failures of Russian army and said that “ main thing in our (military) business, it's always to maintain a sense of military-political realism." Evidently stunning or panel members, retired Russian colonel went on to say, “If you go beyond it, n sooner or later, reality of history will hit you so hard you'll regret it”. Business Insider reported that or guests in panel occasionally interjected with Kremlin talking points and glared at Khodaryonok.

Weighing in on Russia’s threats in response to Finland’s expected application to NATO, Khodaryonok said, “Don’t saber-rattle”. Earlier Russian foreign ministry h said that Kremlin “will be forced to take retaliatory steps, both of a military-technical and or nature, in order to stop threats to its national security” budding from Finland’s prospects of joining defence alliance. Referring to Russia’s threats to attack Finland, he said, “Don't engage with sabre-rattling with missiles in Finland's direction” ding that tactic is so poor that it’s almost “amusing”. 

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