Live updates | Russia-Ukraine War

Gen. Sergei Surovikin, commander of Russian forces in Ukraine, told reporters in Moscow on Tuesday that the situation in the southern Kherson region was “very difficult,” and that civilians from some areas should be evacuated ahead of an expected Ukrainian offensive.
Surovikin alleged that Ukraine planned to attack infrastructure, including a dam at a hydroelectric plant.
“Therefore, first of all, the Russian army will ensure the safe, already announced departure of the population under the relocation program being prepared by the Russian government,” Surovikin said.
As for the city of Kherson, he said, “I will say this again: It is already very difficult as of today.”
It was one of the clearest acknowledgments yet by Russia that it was evacuating civilians in occupied territories because of advancing Ukrainian troops. Kherson is one of four regions illegally annexed by Russia last month.
Regional head Vladimir Saldo said Tuesday that residents of Berislav, Belozersky, Snigiryovsky and Alexandrovsky were to be moved across the Dnipro River, away from Russian troops building “large-scale defensive fortifications.”
Saldo urged residents to stay calm and said they would “remain under the reliable protection of the Russian army.”
On Friday, too, Saldo had urged Kherson residents to evacuate to Russia. Russian authorities promised free travel and accommodations to those who left. Russian-backed officials have said evacuations from occupied territories are voluntary. In many cases, the only route out is to Russia.
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KEY DEVELOPMENTS:
— Ukraine’s power, water infrastructure pounded by Russian attacks
— Winter is coming: Ukrainians dig in for brutal season
— EXPLAINER: Killer drones vie for supremacy over Ukraine
— Ukrainian resilience persists amid Russian barrages
— NATO begins nuclear exercises amid Russia’s war
— EU approves Ukraine training mission
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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:
Russian-installed officials in the southern region of Kherson, one of four regions that Moscow illegally annexed last month, announced Tuesday there would be an “organized transfer of civilians” out of four towns ahead of an expected Ukrainian offensive.
Regional head Vladimir Saldo urged calm and said the Kherson residents would “remain under the reliable protection of the Russian army.”
But he said the Russian army was building “large-scale defensive fortifications,” and cited particular danger from flooding from a dam release. Residents of Berislav, Belozersky, Snigiryovsky and Alexandrovsky were to be moved across the Dnieper River, away from the fighting, he said.
Ukrainians troops have been pushing deeper into Kherson, and on Friday, Saldo had urged residents to evacuate to Russia. Russian authorities have promised free travel and accommodations to those who left.
The evacuation was called “voluntary” but there was no option presented to evacuate to Ukrainian-held territory.
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UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is appealing for $180.4 million for Ukraine “to strengthen the country’s capacity for food storage, testing and certifications, which are necessary for export at border facilities.”
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Tuesday that FAO has mobilized $79.7 million, leaving a gap of $100.7 million, “which is urgently needed to support households in rural areas during the winter.”
According to the government, Ukraine exported 12.9 million tons of cereals, legumes and flour in the 2022-23 marketing year, compared to 20 million tons last year, Dujarric said. More than 7.8 million tons of this grain and foodstuff were exported as a result of the July deal involving the U.N., Russia and Ukraine that has enabled Kyiv’s resumption of grain exports from three Black Sea ports, he said.
Dujarric said FAO has also distributed more than 3,600 tons of wheat seeds to small-scale farmers and rural households, has also delivered cash assistance to over 1,000 rural households and is aiming to reach over 4,800 households in Ukraine — about 10,000 people — in the coming months.
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KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s top diplomat wants his country to sever diplomatic relations with Iran over its sale of so-called suicide drones to Russia.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Tuesday that Ukraine wouldn’t tolerate Iran’s “meanness and lies” on the issue.
The Iranian drones are precise, small, can effectively penetrate air defenses when fired in groups and are cheap at around $20,000 each. Moscow has used them extensively in recent days in its war against Ukraine, especially against civilian targets in Ukrainian cities.
“After Iran has become an accomplice in Russia’s aggression and crimes on our territory, we will take a clear and honest stand,” Kuleba said, adding that he advised President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to break off ties with Tehran.
Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, said that after Iran provided Russia with a first batch of 1,750 drones, Moscow has placed orders for more.
LONDON — A Western official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence, says Russia has clearly changed tactics since the Oct. 8 attack on its prized Kerch Bridge to annexed Crimea.
“Russia continues a trend of long range strikes, which are more causing civilian casualties than degrading Ukraine’s military. … It is increasingly evident that Russia is pursuing a deliberate strategy of attempting to destroy Ukraine’s electricity network,” the official said.
The official said Iranian-made drones “are playing an increasingly significant role, although we can see that Ukraine is effectively neutralizing many of them before they hit their targets. We continue to monitor closely whether Iran is extending its military support to include additional types of weapons.”
— By Jill Lawless
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TALLINN, Estonia — Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said the government approved a winter aid package for Ukraine last week.
“Estonia will help Ukraine with winter goods, winter equipment, clothing, tents, generators,” Pevkur said at a German Marshall Fund event in Washington on Tuesday.
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KYIV, Ukraine — A senior Ukrainian official says Russian attacks have damaged more than 400 infrastructure targets across Ukraine since early last week.
The Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, Oleksii Chernyshov, said Tuesday that Russian missiles and Iranian-made drones have struck 408 Ukrainian targets since Oct. 10.
The targets included 45 energy facilities. He said that more than 180 civilian buildings were also struck.
Chernyshov insisted that Ukrainians will not be cowed by Moscow’s onslaught. He said that “such terrorist actions of the aggressor mobilize and harden us even more.”