Russian commander says situation in southern Ukraine 'very difficult'

Surovikin said this on Russian television, Ukrinform reports, citing Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

"The situation in the area of a 'special military operation' can be characterized as tense. The enemy is constantly trying to attack the positions of Russian troops. First of all, this concerns the areas of Kupiansk, Lyman, Mykolaiv - Kryvyi Rih," he said.

Surovikin also spoke about preparations for the evacuation of civilians from Russian-captured Kherson.

According to him, "the Russian army guarantees the safe evacuation of the population from Kherson." At the same time, Surovikin described the situation as "very difficult."

On October 8, Russia's Ministry of Defense announced the appointment of General Sergei Surovikin as the commander-in-chief of the joint grouping of troops conducting a "special military operation" in Ukraine. Surovikin earlier commanded the Russian Aerospace Forces and the southern grouping of troops in Ukraine.