"Russians and Ukrainians are one people, and Moscow seeks only one thing in Ukraine - that the nation break free from the grip of the West and NATO and become a friendly government, Sergei Surovikin, the Russian Army General appointed commander of all Russian forces in Ukraine earlier this month, has said.
"The enemy is the criminal regime pushing the citizens of Ukraine to their death. We and Ukrainians are one people and want the same thing - that Ukraine be independent from the West and NATO and a friendly state for Russia," Surovikin said, speaking with reporters in the conflict zone on Tuesday.
Commenting on Kiev's recent offensive operations in the direction of the city of Kherson, the commander accused Kiev's NATO puppetmasters of ignoring the heavy losses both in manpower among the Ukrainian military, and among civilians, and characterized the situation in this area of the front as "very difficult."
"The NATO leadership in charge of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has long been demanding offensive operations in the Kherson direction from the Kiev regime, without any regard for casualties, both among the Armed Forces of Ukraine and among the civilian population," Surovikin said.
...Russia also has information that Kiev may be preparing to use prohibited methods of warfare in Kherson, including plans "for a massive missile attack on Kakhovskaya Dam, and a massive, indiscriminate missile and artillery strike on the city. These actions could lead to the destruction of the infrastructure of a large industrial center, and cause major casualties among the civilian population," Surovikin said.
"Our further plans and actions regarding the city of Kherson will depend on the emerging military-tactical situation" and will proceed from the need to preserve as much as possible the lives of local civilians and Russian military personnel," the commander said.
Russia will not exclude making "difficult decisions" should the situation call for it, Surovikin said. These include ensuring a safe exit for any civilians from Kherson region who wish to leave the conflict zone.
...Surovikin estimates that Ukraine is losing between 600 and 1,000 soldiers killed and injured per day. "We have a different strategy. The commander in chief has spoken about this. We are not striving for a high rate of advance, are taking care of each soldier and methodically 'grinding' the advancing enemy down,"
The Russian group of forces in Ukraine is currently building up its strength, creating reserves and building defensive positions along the entire front, Surovikin said.
"Strikes using high-precision weapons are continuing against military facilities and infrastructure that affects the combat capabilities of Ukrainian troops,"..."
Courtesy (Yeva) Eva K Bartlett twitter
