MSM Confirms Ukraine Crisis in Bakhmut; Ukraine Kherson Defeat; Putin Makes Hint of End of Ukraine (Alexander Mercouris)

Putin would not answer the question of whether Ukraine would exist at the end of the military operation. At the beginning of the war the intention was to not occupy the country. As things stand, with the current administration in Kiev, Russia is unlikely to stop until these people are removed. Extremist elements are in control in Ukraine and they will likely conduct raids or terrorist type operations in Russia unless they are stopped. 

[Posted at the SpookyWeather2 blog, October 18, 2022.]