Day 238 of the Invasion of Ukraine: Russians evacuate thousands from Kherson

Here are the highlights of events related to the war in Ukraine over the past 24 hours:

The occupation authorities frantically evacuate thousands from the city of Kherson

The commander of Russian forces in Ukraine admits that the situation in the southern city of Kherson is "difficult" and its residents must be evacuated, the BBC reported.

General Sergei Surovikin said Ukrainian troops using HIMARS missiles were hitting infrastructure and housing in the city. He spoke on Russian state television.

"The Russian army will first of all ensure the safe evacuation of the population of Kherson," he said.

Volodymyr Saldo, collaborationist mayor of Kherson, says righthand bank of Dnieper is being evacuated in anticipation of a "large-scale offensive" by Ukrainian forces supposedly to include attacks on upstream dams. These civilians will be given safe passage "deeper into Russia." pic.twitter.com/uaueW5l2IX

— Kevin Rothrock (@KevinRothrock) October 18, 2022

His rare acknowledgment of major issues was echoed by a senior local official.

The Russian-appointed administrator of Kherson, Kiril Stremousov, has warned residents of the Black Sea city that "in the very near future" Ukrainian troops will launch an offensive against the city.

"Please take my words seriously - I'm talking about the fastest possible evacuation," he wrote on Telegram.

In a late-night address posted on Telegram, Russian-installed Kherson official Kirill Stremousov calls for people to "evacuate the city as quickly as possible" and says Ukraine "will begin an offensive on the city of Kherson very soon" pic.twitter.com/NBOvy1zJCo

— Francis Scarr (...