30% of Ukraine's power stations destroyed; Russia announces evacuation from Kherson

Ukraine's President Vololdymyr Zelensky said that incessant drone and missile attacks by Russia have destroyed nearly 30% of its power stations. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians suffered power and water supply cuts on Tuesday, October 18. 

Another kind of Russian terrorist attacks: targeting 🇺🇦 energy & critical infrastructure. Since Oct 10, 30% of Ukraine’s power stations have been destroyed, causing massive blackouts across the country. No space left for negotiations with Putin's regime. @United24media pic.twitter.com/LN4A2GYgCK

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 18, 2022

The new commander of Russian forces in Ukraine, Sergei Surovikin, acknowledged that situation is very difficult for Russian troops in the southern region and the city of Kherson as they were under attack.

The state of war: Russia has reportedly resorted to using cheap Iranian-made "kamikaze" drones to strike several parts of Ukraine and reign terror. 

• Ukrainian President Zelensky said that Moscow's alleged use of Iranian drones shows that it has become militarily and politically "bankrupt".

• The US and allies are set to raise the issue of Iran allegedly providing Russia with the Shahed drones at the UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, October 19. 
• The West says that Iran is in breach of UN sanctions if it is proven that it indeed provided drones to Russia. Iran has denied its role.
• Reuters reported that Iran has inked a new deal with Russia to supply Moscow with surface missiles and more drones. 
• Meanwhile, Ukraine is working to better its air defence capabilities and has sought help from allies. 

During October 7-18, russia carried out more than 190 strikes with missiles and kamikaze drones in 16 regions of Ukraine.
More than 70 people died, more than 240 were injured.

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) October 18, 2022

• Russia has announced evacuation from Kherson which it had "annexed" a while ago. A Kremlin leader in the region said that the battle for Kherson will resume in the near future.
• Ukrainian forces have been on a retaking blitz in Russian-occupied areas. 
• In a rare admission, Russian Commander in Kherson region, General Sergey Surovikin told Russian state media, that the combat situation is indeed very tense.

• The UN nuclear watchdog is also concerned about the alleged "kidnapping" of two Ukrainian officials from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. 

Politics at play: In another part of Europe, Germany has fired its cyber security chief Arne Schönbohm, for allegedly having Russian links. He was leading the country's Federal Cyber Security Authority (BSI) to protect government communications since 2016.

• While the West is imposing sanctions upon sanctions on Russia and discouraging countries from buying their fuel, Pakistan recently said that it is ready to purchase Russian fuel but on a condition. Islamabad wants Russian fuel for the Indian rate.