Summary of the day: Russian forces achieved marginal advancements near Siversk, Avdiivka, and Donetsk City amidst ongoing conflicts. In response to ongoing command and control struggles, the Russian State Duma proposed an amendment to penalize the use of personal communication devices at the frontline, which has stirred significant opposition from military bloggers. Concurrently, Ukrainian forces targeted a ferry crossing in Kavkaz, Krasnodar Krai with drone strikes, underscoring the intensifying tactics in the region. Additionally, amidst these military actions, there were key personnel changes within the Russian government and the Ministry of Emergency Services, indicating ongoing strategic adjustments.
Picture of the day:
Electricians of the DTEK Energy Company restore the power grid damaged by constant artillery and air strikes in a village near the front line in Donetsk Oblast on July 23, 2024. (Anatolii Stepanov / 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.
Beyond Ukraine – March Towards World War
Georgia’s State Security Service (SSS) has placed around 300 members of the Georgian National Legion, fighting in Ukraine, on its wanted list, following similar actions by Russia. Commander Mamuka Mamulashvili alleges coordination between Georgian and Russian authorities, stating many fighters returning to Georgia are being advised to leave due to safety concerns. Some fighters face potential extradition to Russia, with recent arrests in Georgia on charges including terrorism and coup d’état. This move reflects growing ties between Tbilisi and Moscow, drawing criticism for undermining Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration aspirations. Opposition media reported that several Georgian fighters have been summoned for questioning over an alleged coup plot against the ruling Georgian Dream party, a claim denied by Ukraine. Mamulashvili and others believe the investigation is politically motivated, connected to their service in Ukraine.
French police arrested a Russian man suspected of planning disruptive activities for the Paris Olympics. An investigation, launched on charges of sharing intelligence with a foreign power, could lead to up to 30 years in prison. Evidence was found during a home search, though officials clarified the plot wasn’t terror-related. Over one million people involved in the Games have been vetted, with 4,360 denied access due to security concerns, including 880 for potential foreign interference. The French government implemented a verification system to counter cybersecurity and espionage threats. The 2024 Summer Olympics will be held from July 26 to August 11.
Peace Talks
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba arrived in China, emphasizing the importance of direct talks to end Russia’s invasion. Kuleba and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, will discuss Russia’s war against Ukraine, China’s role in achieving peace, and bilateral relations. This is Kuleba’s first visit to China since the war began. China has maintained a neutral stance but has deepened economic ties with Russia and supported it against Western sanctions. Kyiv has urged China to influence Moscow to end the war, but efforts have been largely unsuccessful. China skipped the June global peace summit and proposed its own peace plan, which Ukraine might consider if it aligns with U.N. Charter principles.
Future peace efforts must include Russia but cannot be dictated by President Vladimir Putin, said EU’s chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, on July 22 in Brussels. Borrell confirmed President Volodymyr Zelensky’s commitment to advancing peace talks and organizing another conference with Russia’s participation. Although Russia was not invited to the initial peace summit in Switzerland in June, Ukrainian officials aim to include Moscow in the follow-up. The Russian Foreign Ministry initially rejected this, but the Kremlin later showed some openness. Borrell emphasized that peace talks should not be based on Putin’s conditions, which include Ukraine’s withdrawal from occupied regions and bans on joining NATO.
Support among Ukrainians for territorial concessions to Russia for peace has declined to 55% in May, down from 74% in December 2023, according to a Kyiv International Institute for Sociology (KIIS) poll. Conversely, 32% now accept ceding territory to preserve independence, up from earlier this year. Regional differences persist, with the highest resistance in western Ukraine (60%) and the lowest in the south (46%). The most favored peace condition among respondents includes Ukraine regaining all occupied territories and joining the EU but not NATO, with 62% support. Another scenario, yielding control of Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea, while regaining Kherson and Zaporizhzhia and joining NATO and the EU, received 53% support. KIIS Director Anton Hrushetskyi emphasized that Ukrainians do not favor “peace at any cost,” stressing the importance of robust security guarantees.
Situation On The Land, Sea, and Air in Ukraine
Ukrainian forces shot down a Russian Su-25 aircraft near Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, marking the second such downing this month by the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade. The incident was captured in a low-quality video and was targeted by anti-air units while the jet was engaging Ukrainian positions. Known as “Frogfoot” by NATO and designed for close air support against ground and low-altitude, slow-moving air targets, this aircraft is widely used in the conflict.
Ukrainian forces reportedly targeted occupied Crimea. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that Russian forces intercepted 21 Ukrainian drones over Crimea and the Black Sea, with 15 drones reportedly destroyed near Sevastopol. Additionally, there are unconfirmed reports from a Russian opposition outlet that a Ukrainian drone hit a Russian military radio station near Sevastopol.
Kharkiv Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces continued localized offensive operations around Kharkiv, particularly north and northeast of the city. They claimed to have pushed Ukrainian forces out of Hlyboke, though independent confirmation is lacking. Russian sources reported airstrikes and artillery, including drone strikes, which they say repelled Ukrainian counterattacks in the area. Additionally, Russian military used a large volumetric bomb near Borshchova, north of Kharkiv. The fighting also extended to areas near Vovchansk, Vovchanski Khutory, and Tykhe. Ukrainian military spokesperson indicated that Russian efforts are concentrated near Hlyboke and Vovchansk, with Russian units preparing for further assaults rather than a new offensive. Key Russian military elements from the Leningrad and Baltic Sea fleets, as well as the Pacific Fleet, are active in these operations.
Luhansk Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces maintained their ground assaults along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line without confirmed changes to the frontline positions. Russian military bloggers reported that Russian troops recently captured areas on the northwestern outskirts of Synkivka, northeast of Kupyansk, and made advances of over 800 meters in Pishchane, southeast of Kupyansk. Additionally, they claimed advancements northwest of Kreminna near Nevske and west of Kreminna near Terny and Yampolivka. The assaults continued across multiple areas including northwest and southeast of Kupyansk, west of Svatove, and in the Serebryanske forest southwest of Kreminna.
Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia
Siversk
Russian forces made advancements in the Siversk area, continuing their ground attacks. Recent geolocated footage shows Russian gains northeast of Rozdolivka, south of Siversk. Additional attacks occurred east of Siversk near Verkhnokamyanske, southeast near Spirne and Vyimka, and south near Pereizne. A Ukrainian battalion commander noted a shift towards increased drone usage over artillery in these areas, with Ukrainian forces currently excelling in drone capabilities. The commander also reported that Russian forces are deploying large electronic warfare systems about 10 kilometers from the frontline to disrupt Ukrainian drones during assaults.
Chasiv Yar
Russian forces continued their offensive near Chasiv Yar without confirmed advances. Russian military bloggers reported slight gains north of Kalynivka and near Hryhorivka, though these claims lack visual verification. The Ukrainian General Staff noted an increase in Russian attacks in this area, particularly around Vasyukivka, Minkivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Hryhorivka, Kalynivka, and Bohdanivka. Continued fighting was also reported near Novomarkove and southwest of Chasiv Yar in areas like Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, and Bila Hora.
Toretsk
Russian forces pressed their offensive near Toretsk without making any confirmed advances. Claims from Russian military bloggers about progress in Zalizne and central Niu York, south of Toretsk, remain unverified. Continued fighting was reported southeast of Toretsk near Pivnichne and Zalizne, and south of Toretsk near Niu York and Panteleymonivka over the past two days.
Avdiivka
Russian forces advanced west of Avdiivka, capturing positions up to six kilometers in the Myrnohrad-Pokrovsk direction, now only 14 kilometers from Myrnohrad. Despite these claims, visual confirmation is pending. Geolocated footage shows advancements to Molodizhna Street in southwestern Novoselivka Persha. Ukrainian military observer Yuriy Butusov described the situation in the Pokrovsk (Avdiivka) direction as critically difficult, noting that Russian attacks are targeting heavily impacted Ukrainian units through small infantry-led frontal assaults. Continued combat was reported around Avdiivka, including areas like Kalynove, Vozdvyzhenka, and Karlivka. Ukrainian forces also downed a Russian Su-25 aircraft in the Pokrovsk area.
Southwest of Donetsk City
Russian forces advanced west of Donetsk City, with marginal gains noted in Krasnohorivka as evidenced by geolocated footage. Additional minor advances were reported southeast of Vodyane and up to 3.1 kilometers in central and eastern Maksymilyanivka. Fighting persisted in the areas west and southwest of Donetsk City, specifically around Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Paraskoviivka, and Kostyantynivka. Ukrainian forces were seen repelling a Russian mechanized assault in the Donetsk direction.
Zaporizhia Front – Initiative Russia
Russia has recently increased its military presence in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, adding approximately 2,000 troops, bringing the total to around 90,000 in the region, according to Dmytro Lykhovii, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Tavria group of forces. Despite the buildup, there are no signs of an imminent offensive in Zaporizhzhia. The front lines remain largely unchanged, although Russia continues to target civilian areas.
Zaporizhia-Donetsk Border Area
Russian military bloggers reported that Russian forces are assaulting areas near Makarivka and Blahodatne, south of Velyka Novosilka, along the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed advances near Vremivka, southwest of Velyka Novoselika, supported by tanks. Additionally, the Russian forces are reportedly using buggies and dirt bikes for attacks near Urozhaine, south of Velyka Novosilka.
Zaporizhia Line
Positional fighting persisted in western Zaporizhia Oblast around Robotyne, Verbove to the east, and Mala Tokmachka to the northeast.
Kherson (Dnipro River) Front – Initiative None
Positional fighting persisted on the east bank of Kherson Oblast without any confirmed changes to the frontline. A Russian military blogger reported ongoing clashes on islands in the Dnipro River and highlighted the significant threat Ukrainian drones pose to Russian forces in the region.
Ukraine News
Russian forces launched a series of drone and missile strikes against Ukraine, targeting Sumy and Odesa Oblasts. From Kursk Oblast, a Kh-69 cruise missile and eight Shahed drones were directed at Sumy Oblast, with Ukrainian forces downing seven drones and thwarting the cruise missile. Additionally, an air strike damaged infrastructure in Shostka Hromada, Sumy Oblast. Meanwhile, a missile, likely an Iskander-M, launched from occupied Crimea struck Odesa Oblast.
Opposition parties in Ukraine’s parliament, including Holos (Voice), European Solidarity, and Batkivshchyna, blocked the parliament’s rostrum in protest after the governing Servant of the People party declined to bring a bill to ban the Russian-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) to the floor. The bill, which seeks to prohibit religious organizations tied to Russia, was initiated in response to a National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) decision due to concerns that these groups could divide society and undermine national interests amid Russia’s military aggression. The UOC-MP, though claiming independence, is officially connected to the Russian Orthodox Church and has been criticized for supporting Russia’s actions against Ukraine. Recent security searches have uncovered Russian propaganda and xenophobic materials at premises associated with the Moscow-linked church. The session ended without a vote and is scheduled to reconvene in August.
Innocent Victims Of War
The casualty count of civilians in the past 24 hours:
DEATHS: 0 INJURIES: 32
- In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a Russian drone attack in Marhanets injured five people, including three boys aged 13 and 14, who are now hospitalized in moderate condition. The attack also caused significant property damage, affecting several houses, two five-story buildings, and around 10 other homes.
- Donetsk Oblast saw 15 injuries across several locations.
- A drone strike in Kharkiv Oblast injured one man.
- In Kherson Oblast, seven people were hurt, and about 30 houses were damaged along with a gas pipeline.
- Mykolaiv Oblast reported injuries to four people, including two teenagers, during an artillery attack that also damaged an apartment building.
The aftermath of Russian attacks against the Nikopol district in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
The aftermath of Russian attacks against Marhanets in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
Ukrainian Mobilization and Defense Industrial Base
Ukraine has enlisted approximately 3,800 convicts into its Armed Forces under new legislation approved in May, which excludes those convicted of severe crimes such as premeditated murder and drug trafficking. Roman Kostenko, secretary of the parliamentary national security committee, reported that while most have recently completed their training, there have already been casualties and injuries among them. The government estimates potential for mobilizing up to 20,000 convicts, with plans to assign them to special assault units separate from regular military personnel.
Ukraine is in discussions with Moldova about the return of Ukrainian draft dodgers, some of whom have received asylum in Moldova, according to Ukraine’s ambassador, Marko Shevchenko. During martial law, Ukrainian men of draft age are prohibited from leaving the country, although some have managed to escape. Estimates suggest around 20,000 have fled to neighboring countries like Moldova, Romania, and through the Hungarian border, often using forged documents. Approximately 11,000 crossed into Romania since the invasion began, with 19 fatalities reported in their attempts to cross borders, including drownings in the Tysa River and deaths in the Carpathian Mountains due to inadequate equipment.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced the arrest of a Ukrainian journalist for allegedly calling for armed resistance to military mobilization. The journalist, identified as 44-year-old Zhan Novoseltsev, and seven others are accused of conducting subversive activities for Russia. Novoseltsev, a former host on the 1+1 channel, reportedly used YouTube and social media to reach over 600,000 people with instructions on resisting mobilization. Ukraine has intensified mobilization efforts this year, with nearly 4.7 million men updating their registration data between May 18 and July 16. The SBU found evidence of the alleged crimes during searches of the suspects’ homes.
Boeing has signed a memorandum with Antonov, Ukraine’s largest aircraft manufacturer, to enhance defense collaborations. This partnership, announced on July 22, will focus on training, logistics, and the overhaul of tactical unmanned aircraft systems, including Boeing subsidiary Insitu’s ScanEagle drone, which is used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Additionally, the agreement will explore providing engineering support from Boeing to Antonov. This collaboration aligns with Ukraine’s efforts to bolster domestic arms production amidst ongoing conflict with Russia. Antonov has also expanded its role in the aerospace and defense sector by opening a new drone center and joining the Aerospace, Security, and Defense Industries Association of Europe (ASD) as its first Ukrainian member.
Ukraine’s Allies
The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, announced that Ukraine will soon receive €1.4 billion ($1.52 billion) from the interest on frozen Russian Central Bank assets. This initial transfer, scheduled for early August, will fund the purchase of military equipment for Ukraine, including air defense and artillery ammunition. This decision aligns with a broader G7 agreement, which includes substantial loans from Japan, the US, the EU, Britain, and Canada, using the interest from Russian assets to support Ukraine.
A German court sentenced a businessman for illegally selling electronics for military use to Russia, and Dieseko Group BV was fined €1.8 million for aiding in the construction of the Crimean bridge, breaching international sanctions.
Czechia has joined a coalition led by Latvia and the United Kingdom, now comprising 16 countries, to supply drones to Ukraine. This collaboration was formalized with a memorandum of understanding signed at NATO’s 75th Anniversary Summit in Washington, D.C. The coalition, which includes nations like Australia, Canada, and Germany, is preparing to send 500 drones immediately to Ukraine and has established a €45 million fund to expedite the delivery of first-person-view drones, aiming to distribute 1 million units. Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds welcomed Czechia, highlighting the coalition’s role in aiding Ukraine and supporting member states’ industries. The coalition was established in January to enhance Ukraine’s UAV capabilities, and Ukraine launched its Unmanned Systems Forces on June 11, with plans to produce 1 million attack drones this year.
The Ukrainian government will receive a $3.9 billion grant from the U.S. for salaries and social support, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on July 23. The funds, to be delivered soon through the World Bank, will support rescuers, teachers, doctors, and social programs.
Life in Russian-Occupied Ukraine
Russian occupation officials in Ukraine continue to enforce stringent security measures to suppress pro-Ukrainian sentiment. In Kherson Oblast, the occupation administration has announced that FSB border guards at checkpoints will employ “special control methods” for those attempting to leave the region. These methods, which target individuals with Ukrainian citizenship, include thorough document checks and interviews and are part of broader efforts to identify and detain those opposed to Russian control. Additionally, other security bodies like Rosgvardia are intensifying their activities in occupied areas to bolster these filtration practices.
Russia is advancing infrastructure projects in occupied Ukraine to enhance economic integration and connectivity with Russia. According to a July 19 report by the Ukrainian Center for Journalistic Investigations, Russia is building two pipelines from Taganrog in Rostov Oblast through Mariupol, Berdyansk, and Melitopol in occupied Ukraine. The pipelines, under construction since 2022, are likely to use Mariupol’s gas distribution stations as central hubs. This development will increase occupied Ukraine’s dependence on Russian supplies, whether for gas, water, or fuel, embedding these regions deeper into the Russian economic framework.
Russian regions continue to sponsor the forced relocation and re-education of Ukrainian children in occupied territories. On July 19, the occupation Ministry of Health in Luhansk Oblast reported that Ulyanovsk Oblast Administration had organized a “holiday” for 300 children from occupied Luhansk at the “Gagarin” children’s camp in Yevpatoria, Crimea. This camp includes the “Avangard” center, which focuses on youth military-patriotic education. Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets has previously expressed concerns about the forcible re-education of Ukrainian children at this location. Similarly, Tatarstan supported the relocation of 99 children from occupied Donetsk and Luhansk to a Crimea camp in early July, highlighting ongoing relocation and indoctrination efforts by Russian authorities.
Russia News
An overnight Ukrainian drone attack on the “Slavyanin” ferry at Port Kavkaz in Krasnodar Krai, east of Crimea, caused significant damage, leading to one fatality and five injuries. The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed the strike, stating the ferry was targeted because it was used by Russian forces to transport military equipment, crucial for Russian logistical operations between Krasnodar and occupied Crimea. The port supplements traffic on the Kerch Strait Bridge, serving as a vital military and supply link. Local authorities described the incident as a terrorist attack. The attack resulted in a temporary halt of traffic on the Kerch Bridge, highlighting its strategic significance. Emergency responders managed the situation promptly, containing a fire on the ferry without further escalation.
The Russian State Duma has proposed an amendment that would allow military commanders to discipline soldiers for using personal devices at the front, a move supported by the Duma Defense Committee. This amendment, aiming to address command and control issues, proposes making the use of personal devices in combat zones a severe disciplinary offense, with penalties including arrest and detention for up to 10 days without a court order. This measure has triggered significant backlash from military bloggers, who argue that personal devices are crucial for communication, navigation, and coordination in combat situations, including targeting for artillery and drone strikes. They claim that banning these devices without providing secure alternatives could severely disrupt military operations and command control, urging the amendment’s revision to reflect the practical needs of Russian forces and calling for the provision of secure equipment before implementing such punishments.
The enforcement of a ban on personal devices by the Russian military remains doubtful due to their reliance on insecure communications. Russian military bloggers are skeptical about how officials will distinguish between devices used for combat and others, foreseeing a complex, likely unenforceable system. They predict either half-hearted enforcement or a facade of compliance while personal device usage continues. Criticism also arises that the rule may serve as an excuse for commanders to punish certain soldiers arbitrarily. Previous attempts by the Russian Ministry of Defense to limit personal device use after a Ukrainian strike exploited cell signal tracking met with resistance and are expected to fail again without providing secure alternatives. The Russian military’s dependency on personal devices for basic frontline operations appears hard to eliminate.
Russian President Vladimir Putin appointed Roman Kurynin, the former head of Moscow Oblast’s Federal Healthcare Surveillance Service, as the new Deputy Head of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Services, replacing Lieutenant General Alexei Serko who had held the post since 2018. The following day, the Russian State Duma made several personnel changes, dismissing Deputy Speaker Sergei Neverov and the heads of the committees on energy and physical education and sports, Pavel Zavalny and Dmitri Svishchev, respectively. These changes hint at potential shifts in power dynamics within the Duma, as noted by insiders suggesting that Chairperson Vyacheslav Volodin may be losing some control. Additionally, the Duma is set to consider new appointments for the heads of the culture and nationalities committees.
Reuters reported that Indonesian state-owned refinery Pertamina included Russian crude oil grades in its September tender lists. This marks the first time in over a decade that Pertamina has sought to purchase Russian oil, with the last purchase being ESPO Blend and Sokol oil. Pertamina requested Russian Urals oil and other sour grades for mid-September delivery, and Sokol oil among sweet grades for late September arrival at its Cilacap refinery. The tender terms specify that Sokol oil must be supplied under CFR or DAP terms. Pertamina will only buy Russian oil priced below $60 per barrel due to price cap regulations. The tender results are pending. Amid Western sanctions on Russian oil, China, India, and Turkey have become the main buyers, with Russia using a “shadow fleet” to circumvent sanctions. Ukraine’s drone strikes have disrupted up to 14% of Russia’s oil refining capacity, though U.S. officials have criticized these attacks, fearing impacts on the global energy market.
A Moscow court sentenced exiled Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar to eight and a half years in prison in absentia for spreading “fake news” about the Russian army. The charges stemmed from an April 2022 Instagram post in which Zygar accused Russian forces of committing war crimes in Bucha, Ukraine. Bucha, occupied by Russian troops shortly after the invasion began in February 2022, became a symbol of Russian atrocities after mass graves and evidence of war crimes were discovered following its liberation in March 2022. Zygar, designated a “foreign agent” in 2022, will begin his sentence if extradited to Russia. This sentencing follows the recent imprisonment of WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich and NYT columnist Masha A. Gessen on similar charges.
Russian Mobilization and Defense Industrial Base
Russian regional officials are ramping up financial incentives to recruit more fighters for the conflict in Ukraine. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin signed a decree offering a one-time enlistment bonus of 1.9 million rubles (approximately $21,200) to Moscow recruits who sign a one-year contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense. These recruits will earn a total of 5.2 million rubles (about $58,600) in their first year, making it the highest bonus reported, surpassing those in Krasnodar Krai and Dagestan. Additionally, injured servicemen can receive up to 1 million rubles ($11,200), and families of soldiers killed in action will get 3 million rubles ($34,000). Despite potentially straining budgets, these incentives aim to sustain Russia’s offensive pace. The average monthly wage in Russia is about 65,000 rubles ($735), while new recruits in Moscow could earn 433,000 rubles ($4,800) per month in their first year.
The Russian government is expanding veteran status to boost military enlistment, including for Ukrainian residents in occupied territories. The Russian State Duma passed a law in its first reading that grants combat veteran status to those who have served in southern Ukraine with Russian forces since the annexation of Kherson and Zaporizhia oblasts on September 30, 2022. Although a Russian deputy defense minister stated this change would not require extra budgetary funds, it implies long-term costs related to military pensions, medical support, and other social benefits.
A post amplified by an associate of arrested Russian ultranationalist Igor Girkin on July 22 highlighted complaints about the Russian Ministry of Defense’s failures to pay service members and incorrectly labeling them as missing. It detailed the experiences of a drone operator from the 138th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade who deployed to Ukraine in May 2024 but stopped receiving his full salary in March 2024, getting only 30,000 to 50,000 rubles ($340 to $570) instead. Despite being listed as missing, he was owed 600,000 rubles ($6,800). Following appeals by his family, he received part of the due compensation from a different military unit. This case reflects broader issues of mismanagement and financial neglect affecting many Russian service members and their families.
The Russian State Duma passed multiple bills aimed at enhancing military service management and benefits. One of the laws adopted allows employers to share information on employees eligible for military service with enlistment centers, likely enhancing Russia’s reserve call-up system. Another law prevents the collection of bankruptcy payments from Russian servicemen engaged in fighting in Ukraine.
Heller Tools reported earnings of over $860,000 from its Moscow-based subsidiary, Trading Tools Trading House, with total sales to Russian companies reaching $1.2 million. However, the company ceased exports to Tradetools, associated with a Russian FSB operation to evade sanctions, in June 2023. Additionally, Heller Tools made $300,000 from another Russian company, Tirex, last year. The company stated it would sever ties with any entities found violating sanctions laws.
A Russian aviation expert published an essay on July 22 discussing the evolving use of drones and countermeasures in the Ukraine conflict. The expert highlighted that Ukrainian forces have innovatively used light aircraft such as the Yakovlev Yak-52 and Aeroprakt A-22 Foxbat to counter Russian drones. In contrast, Russian forces have not adopted similar tactics due to bureaucratic challenges and a lack of suitable aircraft. The essay points out that Russian training aircraft like the Diamond DA40 and L-39 jets are unsuitable for intercepting drones. Moreover, Russia faces logistical issues with maintaining the Ukrainian-made A-32 aircraft and would need to requisition aircraft from private owners to deploy them effectively. The Russian aviation sector also has limited numbers of aircraft that could potentially be adapted for drone interception, further complicating the situation.
A Russian serviceperson disclosed to a military blogger on July 22 that their regiment is employing Rex-1 anti-drone guns. However, these guns are ineffective against targets operating at frequencies below 2.4 GHz.
Russia’s Allies
Hungary has again blocked a tranche of EU funding for Ukraine, withholding about €6 billion intended for military aid through the European Peace Facility (EPF). The Hungarian government argues that the EPF should also support EU interests in regions like the Balkans and North Africa, not just Ukraine. This move has exacerbated tensions within the EU, particularly as Hungary, currently holding the EU’s rotating presidency, has faced criticism for Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s unilateral diplomatic engagements with Moscow and Beijing. In response to Hungary’s actions, the EU relocated a key foreign affairs summit from Budapest to Brussels, signaling displeasure with Hungary’s stance. Amidst ongoing disputes over EU recovery funds, Hungary continues to resist providing direct military support to Ukraine.
Russian Narrative and Propaganda
The Russian Presidential Administration, under Sergei Novikov’s guidance, has developed a cultural policy to make the war in Ukraine a central theme in Russian arts and media, aiming to boost domestic support. According to a report by the Dossier Center, this strategy comes amid concerns about waning support for the war, particularly among urban middle-class youth. Key figures like Metropolitan Tikhon Shevkunov of the Russian Orthodox Church and officials from the Ministry of Culture and Channel One are tasked with “ideological control” to ensure the promotion of pro-war themes. This effort involves multiple governmental bodies distributing federal grants, with mandates that at least half of all grants for 2024 to 2025 support projects promoting traditional values and the war narrative. Additionally, a literary magazine is planned to publish works by Russian writers who visit occupied Ukraine and echo Kremlin narratives. This initiative is paralleled by the public non-profit “Znanie,” which held propaganda lectures from July 19 to 22 to reinforce these narratives.
Russian military bloggers capitalized on statements made by General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, former Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief and Ambassador to the UK, during the RUSI Land War Conference 2024 on July 22. Zaluzhnyi suggested that the West could leverage Ukraine’s combat experience with Western technological resources to test new weapons. Russian bloggers twisted these comments to allege that Western support for Ukraine is merely to use it as a weapons testing ground. They also perpetuated false claims that the U.S. is operating biological weapons labs in Ukraine, as part of Russia’s efforts to undermine Western support for Ukraine.
Source Material
Institute for the Study of War – understandingwar.org
The Kyiv Independent – kyivindependent.com
Kyiv Post – kyivpost.com