Russian pro-government figures have voiced issue and disappointment over Kyivs weekend counteroffensive that saw its forces retake swathes of northeastern Ukraine, in the middle of installing domestic criticism of the Kremlins handling of its six-month invasion.Ukraine recaptured nearly all of the Kharkiv region from Russian forces in a shock counteroffensive over the weekend, in what observers say is Moscows biggest obstacle up until now in the war.

The Russian Defense Ministry explained its swift retreat as a regrouping to separatist-held locations in the Donbas region.But some state television characters and pro-government specialists called the most recent advancements a blow to Russias military ambitions.

Weve been told that everything is going according to strategy.

Does anyone actually think that six months ago the plan was to be leaving [the city of] Balakliya, driving away a counteroffensive in the Kharkiv area and stopping working to take control of Kharkiv? political expert Viktor Olevich stated throughout a political talk show on the state-run NTV channel Friday.Former legislator Boris Nadezhdin gave a sobering outlook of Russias potential customers in the war if it doesnt change the strategies its employed so far.

Its definitely difficult to beat Ukraine utilizing those resources and colonial war techniques with which Russia is trying to wage war, utilizing contract soldiers, mercenaries, [there is] no mobilization.

A strong army, totally supported by the most powerful nations, is opposing the Russian army, Nadezhdin said.

As an outcome of the effective operation-- clearly in accordance with the plan and even ahead of schedule-- to hand over the cities of Izyum, Balakliya and Kupiansk to respected Ukrainian partners ...

I propose to turn over a part-- at least three locations near the border-- of the Belgorod region to the Kharkiv area of Ukraine, Russian national Igor Strelkov, a previous leader of pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine, stated in a post on the Telegram messaging app.Following Kyivs huge advance, offiicals in Moscow have actually promised to continue what it calls a special military operation.

Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov worried on Monday that Russias military action in Ukraine will continue till the goals that were initially set are accomplished.

It turned out that it was not an escape, but a pre-planned regrouping with a clear and comprehensible aim-- to speed up the freedom of the Donetsk Peoples Republic, the state-run Rossiyskaya Gazeta paper composed on Monday of Russias troop pullback from the eastern Kharkiv region over the weekend.

Despite a massive help of the West to the Nazi regime [in Ukraine] and an unprecedented sanctions pressure on Russia, the goals of the special military operation will be accomplished, said Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, using Moscows unbacked talking point alleging that Kyiv is run by neo-Nazis.

We are increasing the level of our fight capabilities within the unique military operation, stated state-run Rossiya 1 press reporter Alexander Sladkov, commenting on Russian strikes in the Kharkiv area that resulted in prevalent blackouts Sunday.Yet others, like RT chief editor Margarita Simonyan, required a lot more drastic action.

If it was just Ukraine ...

Its us against the other part of the world, versus a large part of the world ...

and now people are asking-- if we are at war with NATO, then we must most likely battle as [we are combating] with NATO and not as with Ukraine? Simonyan stated throughout a primetime political talk program on Rossiya 24.

The time has come to get the answer to those concerns that concern our society that will please society ...

Probably, we dont know much [details], Simonyan said.

[] a great deal of time has passed and [our] society requires some answers.