Russian State Media And The Public React To Russia's Defeat In Northeastern Kharkiv

Reuters: Russian state media grapples with Kharkiv defeats 

LONDON (Reuters) - Commentators on Russian state television have been forced to go off script by Ukrainian forces' swift advance in the country's Kharkiv region and Moscow's rapid retreat. 

Since the beginning of what Russia calls its “special military operation”, belligerent guests on state television talk shows typically have tried to outdo each other in backing President Vladimir Putin and denouncing Ukraine and its allies. 

But in the wake of Kyiv’s lightning counteroffensive, the mood was more subdued and the narrative turned to how allegedly Ukrainian forces overwhelmingly outnumbered the Russians in the northeast. 

The Rossiya-24 news channel on Monday interviewed Vitaly Ganchev, a Russian-appointed official in the Kharkiv region, who said that Russian troops in the province had been outnumbered “eight times over.” 

He also said, without providing evidence, that Ukrainian forces had been bolstered by “Western mercenaries”. "A most difficult week on the front," presenter Dmitry Kiselyov said at the opening of his prime time Sunday night program.  

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WNU editor: While support for the war is still strong in Russia .... Russians back war in Ukraine, but report finds notable opposition (Washington Post), everyone in Russia is now questioning Putin's strategy .... Putin’s problems aren’t just on the battlefield (Politico). 

Russian State Media And The Public React To Russia's Defeat In Northeastern Kharkiv

Russian nationalists rage after stunning setback in Ukraine -- Reuters 

‘We have already lost’: far-right Russian bloggers slam military failures -- The Guardian  

Russia’s collapse in northeast Ukraine ignites fury from Putin loyalists -- CNN 

Putin faces devastating revolt: Russian nationalists accuse tyrant of 'betraying' army -- Express