MOSCOW, October 18. /TASS/. Russian troops do not seek a high pace of advance in the special military operation in Ukraine and are persistently grinding down enemy forces, Commander of the Integrated Group of Forces in Ukraine Army General Sergey Surovikin told reporters on Tuesday.

Western handlers of the Ukrainian military demand its advance on Kherson regardless of military and civilian casualties, the Russian commander said.

TASS has put together the highlights of General Surovikin’s statements.

Special military operation in Ukraine

"The situation in the zone of the special military operation can be characterized as tense."

Russia does not seek a high pace of advance in the special military operation in Ukraine. "We have a different strategy… We spare each soldier and are persistently grinding down the advancing enemy."

An uneasy situation has developed in the Kherson area. "The enemy is purposefully striking Kherson infrastructural facilities and residential buildings. HIMARS rockets have damaged the Antonovka Bridge and the dam of the Kakhovka HPP and movement along them has been stopped."

Russia’s further plans with regard to Kherson will depend on the unfolding military tactical situation. It is not ruled out that "uneasy decisions will be made."

Russian armaments

Russian combat aircraft have conducted over 34,000 sorties in the special military operation in Ukraine, employing over 7,000 guided munitions.

The Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet is specially distinguished in its combat employment, striking targets in each sortie.

Air-launched Kinzhal hypersonic missiles have proven their worth in the special military operation and "this missile is capable of breaching any enemy air defense systems."

Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have conducted over 8,000 sorties in the special military operation in Ukraine and strike drones have wiped out over 600 Ukrainian military targets.

The special military operation has proven the efficiency of Russian combat aircraft and air defense capabilities.

Ukrainian army actions

The Ukrainian side does not abandon attempts to attack the positions of Russian troops.

NATO demands Kiev’s offensive operations in the Kherson direction, "regardless of military and civilian casualties."

The Ukrainian military is moving all the available reserves to the frontline. "These are basically territorial defense forces that have not undergone a full course of training" and the Ukrainian leadership dooms them to annihilation. "As a rule, such units have low morale. In order to prevent their escape from the frontline, the Ukrainian authorities are using punitive squads made up of nationalists who shoot dead all those who try to leave the battlefield."

Russian troops have information on Kiev’s preparations for a massive rocket strike against the dam of the Kakhovka hydro power plant.

The Ukrainian military daily loses from 600 to 1,000 troops.

Ukraine’s future

Russia wishes Ukraine to be independent from the West and NATO and a friendly state for Russia. "The enemy is the criminal regime, which pushes Ukrainian citizens to death. We are one people with the Ukrainians.".