Russian nationalists rage as Ukraine's stunning counter-offensive makes huge gains – with Kremlin refusing to say if Putin still backs his commanders

Raging Russian nationalists called on Sunday for President Vladimir Putin to make immediate changes to ensure victory in the Ukraine war after troops were forced to retreat amid a series of strong Ukrainian counterattacks.

Ukraine's troops on Saturday stormed east out of second city Kharkiv, smashing through Russian lines and liberating huge swathes of territory, including the key strategic city of Izyum along with several key transport and logistics hubs supporting Putin's men in the Donbas.

The news prompted Chechen leader and Putin ally Ramzan Kadyrov to publish an 11-minute-long rant on the Telegram messaging app, declaring that 'changes must be made' to turn the tide of the war.

'If today or tomorrow changes are not made in the conduct of the special military operation, I will be forced to go to the country's leadership to explain to them the situation on the ground,' Kadyrov exclaimed.

Putin, who is Russia's supreme commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu are yet to publicly comment on the defeat.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov meanwhile declined to answer directly when asked by a reporter on Monday whether the Russian president had confidence in his military leadership.

'The military operation continues,' Peskov insisted, avoiding the question. 'And it will continue until the goals that were originally set are achieved.'

The widespread retreat of Russian troops from the Kharkiv region and Izyum came on Moscow Day - a holiday which marks the founding of the Russian capital in 1147.

Igor Girkin, a nationalist militant and former FSB officer who was involved in the orchestration of the Russian-backed war in eastern Ukraine in 2014 compared the collapse of one of the conflict's principal front lines to the 1905 Battle of Mukden - a catastrophic defeat in the Russo-Japanese war which triggered Russia's 1905

Hey KazanMarmPrestonTruckmellowPGR88RinoCathiViking, sorry about the Kerch Bridge pothole issue. I know you were contemplating speaking with your ольгинские тролли PSYOP boss, so you get some time off to jump the nearest "Draft Bus", or jump into the back of a police or OMAN vehicle so to get to the nearest draft tent, and to Crimea's warmer climate as it's so cold where you are, and so you could "bag & tag" some Ukie's. Bummer I know. Hey Kazan, it will be okay. I know the large low pressure system is past you now, so it should at least dry out a bit. As well, I am sure the Russian hunting exhibition in Ukraine will continue for several more months. So you will have other opportunities. About that threat that you had unleashed the "dogs" on me, and then sending me the beautiful music lyrics lettimg me know the end of my days was imminent, I was wondering if you might be a good Putinist Freeper and give me a "heads up" on when I can expect a visit from "the Cleaners", or "Mercader"? I know we have had them in the US since at least the 1980's, and "assisting" certain US leftist politicians with pesky investigative types, so logistics shouldn't be too hard. I am sure they are busy, but it would be nice to have at least a day or two notice. Was also wondering how you keep such difficult 24/7 hours? I have a hard time staying awake for more than 3 days.

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