UAF – Ukrainian Forces
RF – Russian Forces
MLRS – Multiple Launch Rocket Systems
Summary of the Events
Ukraine was the clear winner today in fighting liberating two town in the Donbas and destroying another command center in the Kherson region. RF conducted several assaults, but all were repelled.
Belarus
For the third time, Belarus has extended their military exercises on the Ukrainian border until July 31. Belarusian President Lukashenko confirmed that Belarus is aiding Russia in its was against Ukraine, but without supplying troops.
Battle for the Donbas
Target Siversk – Spirne continues to change hands almost daily between RF and UAF. Ukraine has built a solid fortified position nearby, and every time RF move into Spirne, they are pushed back out before the end of the day.
Four town around Siversk, including Siversk, were shelled heavily on Thursday.
Target Bakhmut – The heaviest attacks by the RF on Thursday was an attempt to capture the Vuhlehirsk powerplant, but UAF held on through the day.
Target Slovyansk – RF continue to heavily shell communities around Slovyansk hitting five towns heavily.
Target Kramatorsk – RF forces shelled Kramatorsk on Thursday destroying two schools. One person was killed. A private home was also destroyed in Toretsk.
Expansion from Donetsk – RF conducted an operation on Mykilske which suggests that UAF has liberated the town. Sources also suggest that UAF liberated nearby Solodke as well.
Battle for Kharkiv
Russia launched rockets in the morning on Thursday destroying large sections of residential buildings and a hospital. Three people were killed and 23 injured in the attack.
RF attempted an assault on Pytomnyk north of Kharkiv but were repelled. Ten communities north of Kharkiv were hit by artillery.
Battle for Kherson
UAF conducted ten airstrikes on RF positions on Thursday hitting five strongholds, three concentrations of forces and equipment, and two weapon depots. 111 Russian soldiers were killed in the attacks which destroyed a command post. Equipment destroyed included a howitzer, 2 artillery and mortar systems, a drone, and thirteen armored vehicles.
Other Regions
Dnipropetrovsk – RF continue to hit Nikopol over the Dnepr River with MLRS systems within the Zaporizhian Nuclear Power Plant preventing UAF from firing back. Over 20 rockets were fired on Thursday.
Mykolaiv – RF pounded Mykolaiv heavily again on Thursday. Two humanitarian aid centers were destroyed.
Sumy – Over eighty attacks were made against border communities in Sumy on Thursday. One civilian was injured in the attacks.
Vinnytsia – 20-year-old Olha Lysenko became the 26th victim of the Russian bombing of a shopping mall in Vinnitsa. She had suffered body burns over 98% of her body and finally succumbed to her injuries on Thursday.
Other News
President Zelensky sent a request to address the participants at the South American Mercosur trade bloc meeting but was denied as Brazil and Argentina, both with close ties with Russia, wanted to maintain neutrality.
Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska became the first foreign leader’s wife to ever address the U.S. Congress.
Russia has reopened Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline to Germany after Canada caved and promised to return some gas turbines that were in Canada for repairs.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó made a visit to Moscow to discuss purchasing more gas from Russia.
International Support
Swiss-Swedish engineering giant ABB announced they will stop doing business with Russia. But as Russian share of their business is only 2%, it will not have a big impact on the company. It is mostly a symbolic move.
Alexander Schallenberg, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of Austria, and Jan Lipavsky, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, visited President Zelensky in Kyiv in support of Ukraine.
A day after Syria broke off diplomatic relations with Ukraine, the EU slapped on sanctions to Syria for openly recruiting mercenaries to join the Russian forces attacking Ukraine.