Russia-Installed Leader in Ukraine Complains About Equipment, Training

The Russian-installed head of the occupied Ukrainian region of Kherson has admitted that there are issues with training and equipment for President Vladimir Putin's troops pushing back against a counteroffensive by Kyiv to retake the region.

Vladimir Saldo spoke on Russian state TV program Solovyov Live on Tuesday, while giving an update on Ukraine's counteroffensive, as authorities announced that more people would be forcibly evacuated.

Saldo was cited by Russia's state-run news agency Tass as saying that some 1,500 people would be recruited into a new territorial defense battalion in the Kherson region.

"There are many who want to defend their native land," Saldo said, adding that a a territorial defense headquarters will be created.

"Currently, work is underway to accept applications from those who want to join the ranks of the territorial defense," he added.

Saldo said that there are difficulties with training and equipment for the battalion servicemen, "but we will be able to clothe, arm and feed them."

His admission comes just days after Russia acknowledged for the first time that it doesn't have enough equipment for mobilized soldiers in its war against Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on October 26 that there are issues with equipment for the hundreds of thousands of men being sent to fight in Ukraine under Putin's partial-mobilization decree.

Peskov said a newly formed council created by Putin is working on resolving problems with equipment. "Vigorous measures taken to rectify the situation are already yielding the first positive results," he added.

Regional authorities are working on providing "the missing gear," Peskov said, noting that Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov "is personally responsible for this" as part of Putin's new council.

Putin's new "coordinating council" for military supply and logistics was created on October 21, and seeks to ensure that his military has adequate supplies in the war.

According to the Kremlin's website, the council was established "to meet any needs that arise during the course of the special military operation." That includes supplies and repair of armament, military and special equipment, materials, medical and sanitary services, maintenance and other activities, and logistics, according to Russian media.

Saldo's remarks also come as Kherson in southern Ukraine braces for battle. Tens of thousands of civilians have been evacuated by Kremlin-installed officials as Ukrainian forces push forward to the north and eastern parts of the city.

Saldo told Russian state television that the Moscow-appointed administration was moving to the east bank of the Dnieper River.

Some 70,000 people have already fled, and Saldo said Tuesday that he decided to extend the evacuation zone by 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) from the Dnieper.

He said the evacuation will affect the Nova Kakhovka urban district, and the Hola Prystan, Oleshky, Kakhovka, Hornostaivka, Velyka Lepetykha, and Verkhnii Rohachyk administrative regions.

The occupying administration of the Kakhovka area said "measures for forced evacuations" will be enforced from November 6 for those who remain.

Kherson was one of the first regions to be seized by Putin's forces after he launched a full-scale invasion on February 24.

Newsweek has contacted Russia's foreign ministry for comment.