Summary of the day: Ukrainian forces successfully utilized drone strikes targeting an oil refinery and military airfields in Saratov, Ryazan, and Murmansk oblasts, marking significant disruptions in Russian logistics and air capabilities. Meanwhile, on the ground, Ukrainian forces regained positions near Toretsk, and there were reciprocal advancements as Russian forces pushed west and southwest of Donetsk City, with Ukrainian forces making progress in Vovchansk. Amidst these military maneuvers, Russia is fortifying its international stance by deepening relations with Iran and North Korea to secure lethal aid, while domestically promoting the “Time of Heroes” program to better integrate Russian veterans into society.
Picture of the day:
Ukraine’s players celebrate after forward Ihor Krasnopir scored his team’s second goal during the men’s group B football match between Ukraine and Morocco during the Olympic Games in Paris. (Arnaud Finistre/AFP via Getty Images)
What Can I Do To Help Ukraine? This is a question I receive all the time. We at Transform Ukraine are building longer-term housing for internally displaced Ukrainians. Visit Rebuild Ukraine for how you can assist in housing a Ukrainian family displaced by the war.
The Road To Peace
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed skepticism about Ukrainian statements on peace talks, particularly dismissing comments by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba about China’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Speaking at an ASEAN meeting in Laos, Lavrov noted inconsistencies in Kyiv’s statements and emphasized his disregard for their positions on negotiations. Meanwhile, Kuleba, during talks in China, stressed Ukraine’s readiness for peace negotiations if Russia shows genuine intent. China maintained a neutral stance but confirmed its economic support for Moscow and its readiness to aid in peace efforts without providing military support to Russia. The situation underscores the complex interplay of international diplomacy amid ongoing conflict.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban accused the U.S. of sabotaging the Nord Stream gas pipelines and criticized European countries for aligning too closely with Washington’s policies. Speaking in Romania, Orban highlighted the negative impacts of sanctions and high energy prices on Europe and called for a third party to mediate the Ukraine conflict. While investigations into the Nord Stream explosions are inconclusive with Denmark and Sweden closing their cases and Germany’s still open, some investigators suggest Ukrainian involvement, which Ukraine denies. Orban also criticized Poland for its strong ties with the U.S. and abandonment of the Visegrad Group. Amidst his “peace tour,” meeting leaders including Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, Orban proposed that external intervention is necessary for peace as both Ukraine and Russia believe in their victory. His stance has led to criticisms from the EU and President Zelensky, with Budapest often seen as a pro-Russian voice within the EU.
Situation On The Land, Sea, and Air in Ukraine
Recently, Ukrainian intelligence spokesperson Andriy Chernyak reported that Russian forces have started using inexpensive drones constructed from Styrofoam and plywood for reconnaissance. Over the past two to three weeks, these drones have been deployed in five long-range strike series, equipped with cameras and SIM cards to relay data back to Russian units. Their primary function is to identify Ukrainian mobile fire groups and air defense positions.
Kharkiv Front – Initiative Russia
Ukrainian forces made advances in Vovchansk, northeast of Kharkiv City, while Russian troops continued their ground attacks in the region. Recent footage shows Ukrainian progress along central and northeastern streets in Vovchansk. Concurrently, Russians intensified their military efforts north and northeast of Kharkiv, including near Hlyboke, Slobozhanske, and Tykhe. Reports also indicate Russian troop movements from the Sotnytskyi Kozachok area to other frontlines in Kharkiv.
Luhansk Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces continued their offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, but the frontline remained unchanged. Despite claims by Russian milbloggers of advancements near Kupyansk and Kreminna, these have not been independently verified. Russian military assaults were reported northeast, southeast, and southwest of Kupyansk, as well as west and southwest of Kreminna.
Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia
Siversk
Russian forces conducted offensive operations in the Siversk area without making significant gains. Operations were focused east and southeast of Siversk, near Verkhnokamyanske, Spirne, and Ivano-Dariivka. Reports indicate Russian forces are consolidating positions south of Siversk, while sabotage and artillery units are active in the region, continuing their operations in the Siversk direction.
Chasiv Yar
Russian forces continued their offensive near Chasiv Yar without confirmed changes to the frontline. Operations extended to areas north and southeast of Chasiv Yar, near Hryhorivka and Andriivka. Despite claims by Russian milbloggers of advances west of Kalynivka, these movements have not been independently verified.
Toretsk
Ukrainian forces regained positions near Toretsk, specifically in northern Pivdenne, amid Russian offensives in the area. Despite Russian claims of advances in central Zalizne and Pivnichne, these have not been independently confirmed. Russian military operations also continued near Toretsk and its surrounding areas, including Niu York.
Avdiivka
Russian forces reportedly made movements northwest of Avdiivka, particularly seizing parts of Lozuvatske and advancing towards Vesele, although these claims lack independent verification. Russian military bloggers also reported advancements near Prohres and Ivanivka. Despite these assertions, there were no confirmed changes to the frontline in the area. Russian troops continued offensive operations in several surrounding areas, including north, northwest, west, and southwest of Avdiivka. Additionally, Russian forces have reportedly captured the village of Vovche in Donetsk Oblast, according to the crowd-sourced monitoring site DeepState, though official confirmation from Ukraine is pending. The area near Pokrovsk in western Donetsk has become intensely contested, with recent Russian efforts to break through Ukrainian defenses. The commander of Ukraine’s 47th Mechanized Brigade confirmed the fall of Vovche and nearby Progres. Despite this, Ukrainian forces reportedly halted Russian assaults in these areas, as noted in a Telegram update from the Khortytsia group. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the heavy fighting in Pokrovsk, promising reinforcements and efforts to inflict losses on Russian troops. The overall strategic push by Russia aims to advance west from Avdiivka and Marinka toward Pokrovsk and Kurakhove, following the earlier captures of Marinka and Avdiivka.
Southwest of Donetsk City
Russian forces advanced west and southwest of Donetsk City, making notable movements in Krasnohorivka and Kostyantynivka. Footage from July 26 showed Russian forces raising their flag in northern Krasnohorivka, indicating an advance there, while additional movements south of Kostyantynivka were recorded todayfollowing a mechanized assault. Offensive operations also continued in areas including Heorhiivka, Paraskoviivka, and Vodyane.
Zaporizhia Front – Initiative Russia
Zaporizhia-Donetsk Border Area
Positional fighting persisted south of Velyka Novosilka, near Urozhaine at the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border.
Zaporizhia Line
Fighting persisted in western Zaporizhia Oblast without changes to the frontline. Clashes were reported near Robotyne and its surrounding areas, including Verbove, Mala Tokmachka, and Novoandriivka. Ukrainian spokesperson stated that Russian forces are making small-scale infantry assaults near Mala Tokmachka but noted no significant Russian troop movements or preparations for a larger offensive in Zaporizhia.
Kherson (Dnipro River) Front – Initiative Russia
The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces made an unsuccessful assault in the Dnipro direction within Kherson Oblast. Additionally, a Russian military blogger noted difficulties in supplying new units in the Kherson direction with drones and thermal imaging equipment.
Ukraine News
Russian forces conducted limited missile and drone strikes against Ukraine. Ukrainian forces successfully intercepted a cruise missile and four drones launched from Zaporizhia Oblast and Krasnodar Krai, downing them over several regions including Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Kharkiv, and Kyiv oblasts. However, one drone caused damage to an industrial facility in Poltava Oblast.
Russian shelling in Donetsk Oblast ignited a fire in a mine, trapping 86 miners inside. The Energy Ministry reported that 84 miners were evacuated while two stayed behind to manage the mine’s operations; no casualties were reported after the fire was extinguished. Concurrently, Russian forces targeted electricity infrastructure in Chernihiv and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts, causing power outages affecting thousands of households and disconnecting 485 settlements from the grid. This ongoing bombardment has halved Ukraine’s energy capacity compared to last winter, with potential 20-hour blackouts anticipated for the upcoming winter. The energy sector’s instability has also affected miners in front-line regions, recalling an incident in March where 1,060 miners were temporarily trapped due to a power outage after an attack, though they eventually escaped.
Ukraine’s football team secured a historic win at the Olympic Games in Paris, defeating Morocco 2:1 for their first-ever Olympic football victory. After losing their opener to Iraq, Ukraine now stands third in their group with three points. The match saw Dmytro Kryskiv open the scoring in the 22nd minute, but after Volodymyr Saliuk’s red card, Morocco equalized with a penalty by Soufiane Rahimi. Ihor Krasnopir clinched the win with a late goal in extra time. Ukraine’s next game is against Argentina on July 30, which will determine if they advance to the next round.
Innocent Victims Of War
The casualty count of civilians in the past 24 hours:
DEATHS: 1 INJURIES: 14
- Russian forces attacked Hlukhiv in Sumy Oblast using multiple launch rocket systems, resulting in the death of a 14-year-old boy and injuries to 14 others, including seven children. The assault caused significant damage to high-rise buildings, houses, vehicles, and an educational institution, with a total of 12 explosions recorded in the area.
Ukrainian Mobilization and Defense Industrial Base
Over 75% of injured Ukrainian soldiers return to service after rehabilitation, Deputy Defense Minister Natalia Kalmykova reported. While the exact number of injured personnel remains undisclosed, President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that at least 31,000 soldiers had died by February 2024 since the onset of the conflict. Rehabilitation services are available at nearly all health facilities, both civilian and military. At a recent Congress on Military Medicine and Mental Health, it was also revealed that Ukraine and its NATO partners plan to establish five modern rehabilitation centers for wounded soldiers. Additionally, Mechinkov Hospital in Dnipro, which serves front-line troops, has treated approximately 29,000 injured soldiers since the conflict escalated.
Ukraine’s Allies
Ukraine has secured an agreement with international allies for 200 evacuation vehicles, according to Deputy Defense Minister Natalia Kalmykova. Speaking at the International Congress on Military Medicine and Mental Health, she noted that Ukraine is receiving M113 armored vehicles, some of which have already arrived and are being distributed to military units with the greatest need. Additionally, the Strategic Industries Ministry is working on enabling domestic production of these vehicles, which are essential for casualty and medical evacuation. The United States, Spain, and Lithuania are among the countries supplying these vehicles, which are also used for demining and other operational needs. Kalmykova emphasized the ongoing need for such equipment due to losses and destruction in war.
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken warned that the U.S. will respond if China continues to support Russia’s defense industrial base. This statement came after Blinken’s meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Laos, following Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba’s discussions with Wang in China. Despite Beijing’s neutral stance, it has deepened economic relations with Moscow and become a major source of dual-use goods for Russia’s defense sector. The U.S. has accused China of aiding Russia behind the scenes and threatened further sanctions. Blinken emphasized that Washington would take measures to address threats to European security posed by China’s actions, while also promoting a vision for a “free and open” Indo-Pacific. Additionally, after talks with Ukraine, China assured that it would not supply weapons to Moscow and affirmed its commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Russia News
Ukrainian forces conducted successful drone strikes on an oil refinery and military airfields in Saratov, Ryazan, and Murmansk oblasts. These strikes targeted key Russian military sites, including damage to at least one aircraft. Russia claims to have intercepted some drones but acknowledged drone activity over these areas. Additionally, Ukrainian intelligence reported sabotage that damaged military helicopters in Moscow and Samara oblasts earlier in the week. This operation is part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to disrupt Russian military logistics.
A drone attack overnight in the Kursk region of Russia led to explosions and fires, including one at an oil depot. Kursk Oblast Governor Alexei Smirnov reported that air defenses are on alert and urged residents to stay vigilant, although no details on casualties or the extent of damage were provided at the time. The attack affected the Medvedinsky and Kursky districts, with local videos showing significant fire activity. This region, bordering Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast, has experienced similar incidents in recent months due to its proximity to the conflict.
Over the past week, three Russian helicopters were damaged due to sabotage by Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR). On July 21, explosions at a Moscow helicopter center damaged a Mi-28 and a Ka-226. Subsequently, on July 24, a Mi-8 was destroyed at the Samara Kryazh military airfield. Another Mi-8 had been destroyed at the same location earlier in April. These operations are part of ongoing efforts by Ukrainian intelligence and partisan groups to target Russian military and infrastructure sites, despite restrictions on using Western-made long-range weapons for attacks inside Russia. Additionally, Ukrainian partisans claimed responsibility for sabotaging a railway line near Yekaterinburg on July 5 and infiltrating a Russian airfield in June. Ukraine’s General Staff reports that Russia has lost 326 helicopters since the conflict began.
A Russian Su-34 bomber crashed during a training exercise in Volgograd Oblast due to a suspected technical malfunction, with the crew successfully ejecting and no fatalities reported. This incident adds to a series of recent Russian military aircraft accidents, including a Mi-28 helicopter crash in Kaluga Oblast that resulted in fatalities and another Su-34 crash in North Ossetia with no survivors. Both were attributed to technical issues. The increase in crashes has coincided with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and intensified Western sanctions.
Suspilne reported on an internal resolution from the Russian Investigative Committee which revealed that commanders of the Russian 6th Motorized Rifle Division were found to have ordered the imprisonment, torture, and killing of fellow servicemembers in Ukraine in 2023. Despite inspections by the Russian Ministry of Defense, these practices not only continued but efforts were made to conceal them.
Russian Mobilization and Defense Industrial Base
The Russian government is actively promoting the “Time of Heroes” program to help integrate veterans back into society, particularly those returning from the conflict in Ukraine. As part of this initiative, Colonel Alexei Kondratyev, a commander in the “St. Prince Vladimir” Brigade and participant in the program, has been nominated to run for senator in Kursk Oblast. This move is part of a broader effort to address potential social and political challenges posed by the return of veterans.
Russia’s Allies
Russia is strengthening ties with Iran and North Korea to receive military aid for its activities in Ukraine. Iran plans to launch satellites from a Russian site in October 2024. North Korea’s economy grew by 3.1% in 2023, supported by Russia’s food aid in exchange for weapons. This aid has helped stabilize North Korean prices and boost its heavy industries. North Korea has sent millions of artillery shells to Russia, while Iran has provided drones and components.
Source Material
Institute for the Study of War – understandingwar.org
The Kyiv Independent – kyivindependent.com
Kyiv Post – kyivpost.com