More Russian strikes target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure
On the afternoon of October 19, an air raid alert was declared for all of Ukraine’s regions, except Crimea. As of 3 p.m. on October 19, Ukraine’s air defense destroyed 12 targets, the Air Force Command “Center” (Tsentr) said. The Ukrainian Air Force shot down four of the six Russian missiles and 10 Shahed-136 drones, a statement released at 4 p.m. said. Yet some of the missiles hit energy facilities in Vinnytsya and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. Three people were injured by debris from a missile that was shot down over Chernihiv.
Ukraine will temporarily restrict electricity supplies across the country on Thursday after Russia attacked its energy infrastructure, deputy head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Tymoshenko said, echoed by the transmission system operator Ukrenergo.
“Today, the energy grid was once again hit by missile attacks carried out by the terrorist state. We found a way not to restrict energy supplies to consumers this evening. But we ask your understanding and support for tomorrow,” Ukrenergo said.
What’s going on in Kherson region?
As Ukraine’s counteroffensive advances in Kherson region, Russian President Putin declared martial law in occupied territories of Ukraine.
On October 19, members of the Russia-installed administration said civilians can no longer enter Kherson region, and vowed to move the “administrations” to the left bank of the Dnipro (Kherson stands on the right bank of the river).
On October 18, Russia’s commander in Ukraine Sergey Surovikin described the situation in Kherson region as “tense”, and said he was ready to make the “most difficult decisions”. He did not go into further detail. False statements by the Russian general that the Ukrainian troops allegedly plot strikes on the Kakhovska dam show that it’s Russia that possibly prepares a strike against Kherson, head of the Mykolayiv regional military administration Vitaliy Kim said. Member of the Kherson regional council Serhiy Khlan did not rule out that the Russian forces may flood the city.
Amid the false accusations, members of the occupation administration in Kherson region began to deport the residents. Vladimir Saldo said he plans to move up to 60,000 residents of Kherson region to Russia or to the left bank.
Ukraine’s military command and the Operational Command South (Pivden) called to keep quiet on the Ukrainian military operations in Kherson region. The Ukrainian troops continued counteroffensive operations across the entire frontline in Kherson region, the Institute for the Study of War said in its report of October 18.
Podcast Explaining Ukraine: Sorrows and joys of the war zone in Eastern Ukraine
We went to Kharkiv region again, to learn more about the life of Ukrainians near the frontline and in liberated villages and towns. In this episode of the Explaining Ukraine podcast, we tell you the story of the mass grave in Izyum, of an 8-year-old girl killed in Bezruky, of a Ukrainian writer who went missing in Kapytolivka, his autistic son, and of how Kharkiv remains brave and strong with a vibrant cultural life despite constant shelling. Hosts: Volodymyr Yermolenko, Ukrainian philosopher and journalist, chief editor of UkraineWorld.org, and Tetyana Ogarkova, Ukrainian scholar and journalist, in charge of international outreach at the Ukraine Crisis Media Centre.
Simplifying customs at Ukraine borders. Ukraine in Flames #223
While Russia initiates new brutal attacks on Ukrainian cities, Ukraine faces a customs visa-free regime that allows the international movement of goods with 35 countries. Watch Ukraine in Flames #223 to know how it simplifies trade and supports the Ukrainian economy and business industry in the conditions of war.
Guests:
- Eerik Heldna, Head of Customs Department, Estonian Tax and Customs Board
- Oleg Kyryievskyi, Managing Partner at First Chair Legal, co-chair at Customs Committee – European Business Association
- Gennadiy Chyzhykov, President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry