Russian General Surovikin Speaks, Kherson Battle Looms, Drone/Missiles Strikes Continue

Update on Russian military operations against Ukraine for October 19, 2022

– Russian missile and drone strikes continue for over a week, knocking out much of Ukraine’s electric grid;

– Ukraine is wasting precious small arms ammunition in failed attempts to counter Russian Geran-2 drones;

– NATO claims it will send means to counter them – nothing of substance actually revealed;

– Russian forces continue to advance in Bakhmut, indicating Ukrainian forces are stretched too thin;

– Russian General Surovikin is focused on the defense of Kherson which is being evacuated;

– Fighting may reach the city, Russia has in the past withdrawn forces rather than have them destroyed or captured;

– Whatever gains Ukraine makes will be temporary – Kiev is trading its entire army for territory hoping for a political resolution in its favor ahead of a military resolution in Russia’s;

References:

Guardian – Ukraine says 30% of its power plants destroyed in last eight days:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/202…

Politico – U.S. industry cranks up HIMARS production as Ukraine war intensifies:
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10…

RT (Russian media) – Russian general in charge of Ukraine operation speaks out:
https://www.rt.com/russia/564934-gene…

Bloomberg – Crimea’s Water Crisis Is an Impossible Problem for Putin (2021):
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/art…

Reuters – Russian troops destroy Ukrainian dam that blocked water to Crimea – RIA (February 27, 2022):
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/…