October 19, 2022

1. Martial law announced in four new constituent territories amid Kiev's 'terrorist' shelling

At a meeting of the Russian Security Council  (RSC) held on October 19 President Vladimir Putin announced that he has signed a Decree on martial law in the DPR, LPR, Kherson, and Zaporozhye Regions  that have officially joined Russia since October 5, 2022. The decree has been sent to the upper house – Federation Council of the Russian Parliament for approval. The decree provides for several levels of response to emerging security risks. The governors will receive additional powers to ensure security in the regions.

"To coordinate the work of the heads of the regions, they will receive the authority to create the appropriate headquarters. I instruct the Government, the Defense Ministry, and other departments to provide them with all necessary assistance," Putin clarified at the RSC meeting. “The Kiev regime, as you are aware, has refused to recognize the will and choice of the people [during the referenda], and has rejected any proposals for negotiations. On the contrary, shelling continues. Innocent people are dying. The Neo-Nazis are using openly terrorist methods, sabotaging critical infrastructure, assassinating representatives of local authorities," the President added.

These regions' authorities are instructed to exercise their authority as necessary on the implementation of measures to ensure readiness for territorial and civil defense, the protection of the population in emergency situations, and to meet the needs of the Russian Armed Forces and other military formations, security organs, and local residents.

Region heads are tasked with strengthening public order and safety, including the protection of military and important state facilities, vital infrastructure, transport, communications, energy facilities, and sensitive sites which pose an increased risk to the life and safety of people and the natural environment. The measures may also include restrictions on the movement of vehicular traffic, their inspection, and the stepping up of controls over transport, communications, print houses, computing and automated system, and their use for defense needs. In addition, any residents temporarily evacuated from dangerous areas are required to be provided with temporary housing.

Territorial defense headquarters will be created in these Russian regions.

2. Statement made by Sergei Surovikin, General Army, Commander of the Joint Group of Troops (Forces) in Special Military Operation (18 October 2022)

Question: Good afternoon, Mr. Surovikin! You are appointed the Commander of the Joint Group of Troops in the area of the special military operation by a decree of the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation. A lot of Russian citizens are concerned about the current situation.

Answer: “The situation in the area of the Special Military Operation can be generally described as tense.

The enemy does not leave attempts to attack the positions of Russian troops. First of all, it concerns Kupyansk, Krasny Liman, and Nikolayev–Krivoy Rog direction. Our enemy is the criminal regime that pushes Ukrainian citizens to death. The Ukrainians and we are one people and we wish Ukraine to be a friendly State for Russia, independent of the West and NATO.

Ukrainian regime intends to break our defence. With this purpose, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are bringing all their reserve forces available to the frontline. These are usually territorial defence units that have not been completely trained.

Ukrainian leadership is actually condemn them to death. This kind of units usually have low morale. To prevent desertions from the frontline, Ukrainian authorities involve blocking detachments manned by nationalists who shoot everyone trying to abandon the battlefield.

We follow a different strategy. It has already been mentioned by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. We do not seek high rates of advance, but save every soldier and methodically ‘grind down’ the attacking enemy. Not only do we minimise our casualties this way, but also considerably reduce the number of victims among civilians.

The Joint Group of Troops is currently taking measures to increase the combat and numerical strength in units and formations, create additional reserve forces, and  prepare defence lines and positions along all the line of contact.

We continue launching attacks with high-precision armament at the military and infrastructure facilities that influence on the combat effectiveness of Ukrainian troops.

Question: Apart from being appointed the Commander of the Joint Group of Troops (Forces) in the area of the special military operation, you remain the Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces. How would you describe the effectiveness of Russian aviation and air defence forces?

Answer: The Special Military Ooperation has proved the effectiveness of the air systems and air defence facilities available.

Crews of operational-tactical, army and long-range aviation have performed over 34,000 combat flights during the operation. They have launched over 7,000 guided airpower ordnance. The cutting-edge Kinzhal ultrasonic air missiles have proven themselves well in neutralising facilities. There is no enemy air defence system that would scare us. Highest precision has also been shown by air-based strategic cruise missiles.

As for the operational quality, I want to distinguish 5th generation Su-57 multipurpose airplane. Fitted with a wide range of armament, it performs multifaceted tasks related to the neutralisation of air and ground targets.

Unmanned aviation has performed over 8,000 flights, while attack drones have destroyed over 600 AFU facilities.

Question: Several days ago, the interim governor of Kherson Region Vladimir Saldo stated that the authorities had decided to organise the possibility to leave the region to other parts of the Russian Federation for recreation or studying. It primarily concerns the right shore. The head of the region stated that these measures were taken to provide safery of civilians amid frequent attacks of the AFU. How would you comment on this decision?

Answer: There is a difficult situation at the abovementioned direction. The enemy launches deliberate attacks at infrastructure facilities and residential buildings located in Kherson. Impacts of HIMARS rockets have damaged the Antonovka Bridge and the dam of Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant where the traffic is currently stopped.

It has resulted in impeding alimentation deliveries; certain problems have been recorded in supplying water and electricity. All of these not only complicate the residents’ everyday life, but also poses a direct threat to their lives.

We have got data on the possible use of prohibited methods of war by the Kiev regime near Kherson, on the preparation of a massive missile attack at the barrage of Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, as well as launching a massive indiscriminate missile and artillery attack at the city.

This action can lead to the destruction of the infrastructure of a large industrial centre and high casualties among civilians.

In these conditions, our primary task is to save lives and health of civilians. That is why, first of all, the Russian army will provide safe departure of the population according to the resettlement programme that is currently being prepared by the Russian government.

Our further plans and action regarding the city of Kherson itself will depend on the military and tactical situation. I repeat: it has already become very difficult.

Anyway, as I have already said, we will proceed from the necessity to maximally save the lives of civilians and our personnel.

We will operate consciously, promptly, not excluding taking difficult decisions”.

3. Ukrainian attack on ZNPP plant repelled

The latest amphibious operation in Zaporozhye Region on October 19, in the  morning, involved 37 boats and followed artillery shelling, according to Vladimir Rogov. A Ukrainian attempt to capture Europe's largest nuclear plant has failed, he reported

The IAEA preferred not to announce anything about such Ukrainian attack. As usual.

E.g. in his personal statement released on October 17 (# 171/2022) the Agency DG Rafael Grossi issued highly unprofessional wording when he wrote that Ukrainian informed the IAEA that the ZNPP was shelled by somebody, but de facto by AFU, and on that ground he proposed to create a zone on nuclear safety and security protection in and around the plant.

 Because Russia has never shelled ZNPP – before October 5 and after that , such zone should be proposed from the side of Ukraine, but NOT from Russia who attached ZNPP together with Zaporozhye Region to its territory since October 5, 2022. The same method was used by Rafael Grossi in the IAEA Report dated September 6, 2022 when in 17 cases he notified that Ukraine informed him about the damages at ZNPP – de facto inflicted by AFU – but he made a hint that shelling was made by Russia. All these cases are listed on pp. 9-19 and in items 22-62.

On that ground the IAEA head created a negative IAEA Report in terms of Russia, and therefore made it unbalanced and a biased one.

Ukrainian commandos used 37 speed boats overnight to cross the Dnieper River, targeting the city of Energodar. “After artillery shelling of the city, they attempted to land, including to capture the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant. The fighting continued for several hours, at least three or three and a half. The assault was fended off,” Vladimir Rogov added.

Earlier in the day the city administration reported Ukrainian artillery attacks on several key facilities in Energodar, including the city administration building, an access road, and a transformer station crucial for its power supply. The latter was disabled, causing a blackout, the head of the city administration, Aleksandr Volga, said.

Energodar is located in Zaporozhye Region, one of four former Ukrainian regions that voted to become part of Russia last month. Energodar has been under Russian control since March 2022.

4. Civilians are evacuated from Kherson – governor

The Russian region will move up to 50-60K citizens away from the right bank of the Dnieper River amid the ongoing fighting

The relocation of civilians from a potential combat zone in Kherson Region was announced by Vladimir Saldo, the caretaker governor of the new Russian region of Kherson, on October 18. The move comes amid speculation surrounding a new Ukrainian offensive and warnings about possible attempts by Kiev to destroy the dam of a local hydroelectric power plant, he explained.

“There is an immediate danger of flooding in the territories due to the planned destruction of the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric dam and release of water from a cascade of power plants upstream of the Dnepr River,” Saldo said.

The decision comes as the Russian military is reinforcing its positions in the region, Saldo explained. The relocation will help avoid mass civilian casualties from the ongoing hostilities and enable “the Russian troops to perform their duties in defending Kherson Region.”

Written by Vladimir P. Kozin