Ukraine War News Digest for July 1-7
Ukrainian engineers have developed a thermal imaging detection technology tailored specifically against Shahed drone threats. NATO member states have committed to collectively provide Ukraine with EUR 40 billion worth of defense and security aid annually.
VIDEO
July 1/ Vihyrinsky: OSCE resolution on genocide of Ukrainian people
July 2/ Dzhyhun: why did Orban come to Kyiv?
July 3/ Military medic: a travel from Mariupol to Olenivka
July 3/ Zhovtenko: Russians sabotaging in the North Sea
July 4/ Everyday frontline life of the Lyut (“Fury”) assault brigade of the National Police
July 4/ Romanenko on the capabilities of Russia’s FAB-500 glide bomb
July 4/ Bilousov: exchange of war prisoners convicted in Ukraine
July 4/ A Scythian Gold display opened at the National Museum of Ukrainian History
July 1/ Aftermath of a Russian aerial bombardment attack on Dnipro
July 3/ Russia delivered an aerial strike on a shopping center in Dnipro
July 3/ Aftermath of Russia’s glide bomb attack on Kharkiv
July 3/ An apartment building in Dnipro destroyed in the aftermath of a Russian bombardment attack
July 3/ Construction site of an underground school in Zaporizhzhia
July 4/ Volunteers handed over Arsen Fedosenko’s sniper rifle to a special forces soldier in Kyiv
July 4/ Funeral ceremony for Vyacheslav Liger, a soldier with the 241st brigade, 205th battalion, Territorial Defense Forces, at the Lukyanivske Cemetery, Kyiv
July 4/ Taras Ashtema, a soldier of the 114th Independent Brigade, was buried in Vyshneve
July 5/ "Come out of the Shadows" display at the War Childhood Museum, Kyiv
06.07/ Day of Action for prisoners of war "Don't be silent! Captivity kills", Vinnytsia
July 5/ An evacuation train set off from Kharkiv to Transcarpathia
July 6/ Commemoration ceremony for victims of July 6 Russian bombardment attack on Lviv
HOSTILITIES
According to the General Staff, 1,106 firefights had taken place at the frontline over the week from July 1 through 7.
Air defense forces shot down 110 out of 114 Shahed-131/136 strike UAVs launched by Russia against Ukraine over the week under review.
At Dolhintseve airfield, Kryvyi Rih, and in Pivdenny District, Odesa, Air Force personnel were successfully conducting passive defense measures. "My thanks to everyone who helps with high-quality decoy airplanes and air defense systems. The enemy now has fewer "Iskander" [missiles], but we will bring up more decoys. Keep calm and united! The enemy is insidious, but we are stronger!" Russia’s defense ministry, echoing various war supporting media outlets, said in a statement the attack took place in the area of the Black Sea port of Yuzhne, adding that a radar station was also destroyed. It said Iskander-M ballistic missiles had been used.
July 5: The third Patriot air defense system donated by Germany arrived in Ukraine; the Ukrainian crew for the system have successfully completed training in Germany.
July 1: Ukrainian Air Force pilots launched a devastating strike on an ammunition depot located on the currently Russia held Crimea Peninsula.
July 6: In a series of effective attacks with first-person-view (FPV) drones, special operations units of the Main Intelligence Directorate at the Ministry of Defense (HUR MOD) targeted and destroyed a Murom-P Mobile Video Surveillance and Thermal Imaging System and a Strizh electronic warfare system.
In a special operation "Rybalka" held in April, the GHR MOD was able to damage the Russian missile ship "Serpukhov" and obtain classified data relating to Russia’s Baltic Fleet and military-industrial complex.
July 5: The Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrsky held a new working meeting with UAV units’ leaders, addressing the frontline use of unmanned systems of all purposes.
Frontline situation by days of the week
July 1
Kharkiv axis: Ukrainian defenders fought off six assaults on approaches to Hlyboke, Vovchansk, and Lyptsi communities.
Lyman axis: Russia’s invading forces continued with attempts to advance further towards Makiivka, Hrekivka, and Nevske villages.
Kramatorsk axis: Russian forces made six new attempts, albeit ineffective, to advance from Bakhmut towards Chasiv Yar and Klishchiivka.
July 2
Donetsk axis: the enemy was increasing the tempo of offensive operations.
Kupyansk axis: the Russians were assaulting Ukrainian defenses located on the edges of the village of Synkivka. All five assaults ended up without success or a take-over of Ukrainian-held positions. As many assaults were reported to have been rebuffed by Ukrainian defenders nearby Hlyboke and Vovchansk, Kharkiv axis.
Kramatorsk axis: Ukrainian units pushed back three assaults by Russian invading forces seeking to advance towards Chasiv Yar, Nove, and Ivanivske.
Pokrovsk axis saw the largest number of firefights that day. Since early hours of the day, the Russian army made 26 assaults on Ukrainian entrenchments outside of Novooleksandrivka, Yevhenivka, Novoselivka Persha, Vozdvyzhenka, Chystobrodivka, Lozuvatske, and Umanske. All the assaults had failed.
July 3
Kupyansk axis: the adversary was persistently trying, albeit with no success, to take over Ukrainian entrenchments outside of Stelmakhivka.
Toretsk axis: the Russian army increased the number of assaults to 12 a day. Adversary forces, with aerial fire support, were concentrating efforts in an attempt to advance further towards the villages of Bila Hora, Toretsk, Deliivka, Severne, and New York.
Pokrovsk axis: since early hours of the day, the Russian troops made 19 assaults on Ukrainian entrenchments located nearby Vozdvyzhenka, Novooleksandrivka, Progres, Yevhenivka, Novoselivka Persha, Yasnobrodivka, and Kalynove.
July 4
Kharkiv axis: Russian forces ten times assaulted Ukrainian lines nearby Hlyboke, Vovchansk, and Lyptsi.
Lyman axis: enemy forces continued looking for soft spots in Ukrainian defenses nearby Siversk, with three assaults rebuffed by Ukrainian solders nearby the settlements of Klishchiivka and Vyimka.
Toretsk axis: Russian invading forces three times assaulted Ukrainian defenses outside of Severne, Toretsk, and New York. All the assaults had ended up without successes.
Pokrovsk axis saw the largest number of battle engagements; since early hours of the day, the Russian army made 24 assaults on Ukrainian entrenchments located on approaches to Novooleksandrivka, Vozdvyzhenka, Kalynove, Progres, Lozuvatske, Yevhenivka, Novoselivka Persha, and Yasnobrodivka.
July 5
Since early hours of the day, Russian troops continued increasing the tempo of offensive actions on Lyman and Pokrovsk axes.
Kharkiv axis: the Defense Forces retook from the enemy two entrenchments located not far from Hlyboke, whilst at the same time keeping a firm grip on own defenses.
Kupyansk axis: Russian invading forces made two unsuccessful assaults on Ukrainian defenses nearby Synkivka.
Lyman axis: Adversary forces launched 17 assaults on Ukrainian lines located in the vicinity of Nevske, Makiivka, Hrekivka, Terny, and Serebryansky Forest.
Kramatorsk axis: the Russian invaders carried out three unsuccessful assaults on Ukrainian entrenchments located outside of Kalynyivka, Klishchiivka, and Ivanivske, and delivered two aerial strikes on Chasiv Yar.
Pokrovsk axis saw the largest number of battle engagements that day. Since early hours of the day, the invading forces launched 29 assaults in an attempt to squeeze Ukrainian defenders out of their held entrenchments located nearby Kalynove, Novooleksandrivka, Yevhenivka, Novoselivka Persha, Yasnobrodivka, and Netailove.
July 6
The opposing forces were increasing the tempo of offensive actions on Donetsk axis.
Kupyansk axis: the Russian invaders five times assaulted, albeit without effect, Ukrainian defenses nearby Synkivka, with as many assaults rebuffed by Ukrainian soldiers in areas outside of Hlyboke and Vovchansk, Kharkiv axis.
Kramatorsk axis: the invading forces carried out three assaults on Ukrainian lines outside of Chasiv Yar, Nove, and Ivanivske, but never succeeded.
The largest number of firefights occurred on Pokrovsk axis. Since early in the day, Russians had made 26 attempts to push off Ukrainian soldiers from their held positions located nearby Vozdvyzhenka, Novooleksandrivka, Yevhenivka, Novoselivka Persha, Lozuvatske, Chistobrodivka, and Umanske.
Kharkiv axis: Russian forces were assaulting on areas approaching Vovchansk, Hlyboke, Starytsa, and Liptsi.
Since early in the day, 83 battle engagements occurred, with the enemy focusing offensive operations on Lyman and Pokrovsk axes.
Russian occupying forces are trying to increase the tempo and intensity of offensive actions on Donetsk axis.
The enemy is trying to attack Ukrainian positions from Horlivka, Toretsk axis, towards Kostyantynivka, taking advantage of superiority in manpower and using air and ground fire support.
July 7
Pokrovsk axis: air defense units organic to Colonel-General Mark Bezruchko Independent Mechanized Brigade took out a Russian Su-25 fighter.
Kharkiv axis: Russian invaders three times set upon Ukrainian lines nearby Starytsya, Lyptsi, and Vovchansk.
Enemy forces continued looking for soft spots in Ukrainian defenses outside of Siversk, with two assaults rebuffed by Ukrainian defenders nearby Verkhnyokamyanske.
Pokrovsk axis saw the greatest number of battle clashes. Since early in the day, the invaders made 27 attempts to fight off Ukrainian forces from their held entrenchments outside of New York, Novooleksandrivka, Vozdvyzhenka, Kalynove, Progres, Lozuvatske, Novoselivka Persha, and Yasnobrodivka.
Not a single Russian warship has entered northwestern Black Sea since 2023.
WAR: LOSSES AND AFTERMATH
ENEMY LOSSES
Russia’s combat losses in the war in Ukraine over the time period from July 1 through 7 had totaled:
8,290 personnel
75 tanks
121 combat armored vehicles
404 artillery gun systems
5 MLRS
6 air defense systems
225 tactical-operational UAVs
21 cruise missiles
460 automobiles and fuel tanks
47 pieces of special-purpose equipment.
In Russia’s Voronezh region, a fire broke out at a warehouse storing explosive ordnance, in the aftermath of a drone strike on July 7.
Russia’s war toll amounted to 33,713 personnel in June.
July 5: A power substation and a military airfield located in Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Krasnodar region, the Russian Federation, sustained a serious damage resulting, respectively, from a nighttime drone attack and a strike with at least two missiles.
July 6: two oil depots located in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region caught fire caused by a drone crash in the early hours that day, and a cellular tower was damaged.
UKRAINE: LOSSES AND WAR AFTERMATH
Russia had launched sixty dozen glide bombs, over six dozen Shahed-131/136 strike drones and some four dozen missiles at Ukraine over the week under review.
Russian bombardment attacks on the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv left 21 people dead and 100 injured.
May saw a significant monthly increase in casualties with 31 per cent more civilians killed than in April marking the highest number of civilian casualties in nearly a year, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) reported. In its monthly update on civilian harm, HRMMU said Russian attacks killed at least 174 civilians and injured 690 in Ukraine in May, the highest number of civilian casualties since June 2023.
July 3: Russian drone attack on Dnipro left seven people dead and 51 injured.
Russian bombardment of Selydove community outside of Donetsk on the afternoon of July 1 killed three people and injured 20.
July 3: In Poltava region, an employee of the gas production company JSC Ukrgazvydobuvannya was killed and three others injured in the aftermath of a Russian bombardment attack.
Peter Fouché, a 49-year old British combat medic died “in the battlefield” as his unit clashed with Russian troops. Peter was member of a volunteer group that since 2022 has ferried drones, vehicles, uniforms and food to Ukrainian soldiers in the east, and it has also helped evacuate 219 Ukrainian soldiers from combat zones.
July 3: Vasyl Palamarchuk, a lawyer and an author from Kherson region died in action outside of Donetsk.
WAR: POLITICAL DECISIONS, TECHNOLOGICAL BREAKTHROUGHS, ARMAMENTS, ALLIES’ AID
UKRAINIAN HOME FRONT
President Volodymyr Zelensky:
July 4: chaired a meeting at the Supreme Commander-in-Chief Headquarters addressing the provision of drone and electronic warfare capabilities to the Ukrainian Defense Forces;
July 6: reported that Ukraine has released 3,310 citizens from Russian captivity in 53 rounds of exchange;
July 1: held a meeting with a bipartisan delegation of the U.S. House of Representatives to talk over issues related to security aid from the USA, with focus on additional air defense capabilities;
July 2: in a telephone conversation, congratulated Mark Rutte on his election as NATO Secretary General for the next four years, and discussed potential avenues for Ukraine-NATO cooperation;
July 3: at the end of his meeting with Dennis Francis, President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, announced that Ukraine will soon submit to the UN General Assembly a draft resolution on nuclear security and safety of nuclear facilities in Ukraine.
July 5: hosted a meeting devoted to the national missile development and production program.
July 6: reported that Ukraine is working on a new maritime strategy, which the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) is set to endorse soon.
Following are the highlights from President Zelensky’s interview to Bloomberg:
Zelensky challenged the notion that Kyiv is losing, refuting the term “deadlock” to describe the conflict. He said Kyiv’s forces are better positioned in terms of manpower than they were months ago and a new counteroffensive is a matter of arming its brigades;
“It’s not a deadlock, it’s a problematic situation,” he said. “A deadlock means there’s no way out. But a problem can be solved if one has the will and has the tools. We do have the will, and the tools – they haven’t arrived yet”;
“They (Donald Trump's team - ed.) can’t plan my life and life of our people and our children,” he said. “We want to understand whether in November we will have the powerful support of the US, or will be left all alone;
Some European states continue to receive Russian gas through a pipeline that crosses Ukraine under a transit agreement that expires at the end of 2024. “We don’t want to extend the gas contract” with Russia, he said. “Alternative steps are being considered now on how we can use the pipeline”;
A ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia is only possible if based on a robust international platform with trusted leaders of countries at the table;
Ukrainian forces are better positioned in terms of manpower than they were months ago and a new counteroffensive is a matter of arming its brigades, Zelenskiy said, adding that some 14 brigades were not equipped for combat amid delays in weapons deliveries from US and European allies. That would amount to between 28,000 and 35,000 soldiers. “This is the biggest tragedy of this war, that between the decision and real fact, we have a real long, long, long wait”;
Zelensky said he considers Andriy Yermak to be one of the most effective managers in his team, and denied as misinformation media reports that the head of the Ukrainian Presidents Office has too much influence;
Delays in funding the state’s budget are possible if there is a policy shift in the United States’ position towards Ukraine;
Zelenskiy said he would lobby for more Patriot air defense systems at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Washington next week, and will seek more security deals, like those Ukraine has already clinched with 20 partners.
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VISITS TO UKRAINE
July 1: Visit by the Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban.
The agenda for Zelensky-Orban talks included issues related to the future of Europe, security, international law and the Peace Formula. The two leaders agreed to work on an agreement addressing issues in bilateral relations.
The President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Hungary agreed to open the first Ukrainian-language school in Hungary at the expense of Budapest.
Viktor Orban said his country hopes to sign a comprehensive agreement on cooperation with Ukraine and have a part in Ukrainian economy modernization programs.
The Prime Minister of Hungary proposed a ceasefire plan that he said would clear the way for peace negotiations.
Zelensky thanked Hungary for attending the inaugural Ukraine Peace Summit and expressed hope that Budapest would help in preparations for the second edition of the Summit.
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July 2: In Kyiv, Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk and Chairman of the UN General Assembly’s 78th session, Dennis Francis discussed nuclear and food security issues.
July 4: The Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, General Wiesław Kukula arrived in Kyiv on a visit at the invitation of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi. The two discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in countering Russia's armed aggression.
Cabinet of Ministers:
Disbursed UAH 2.386 billion to regional state administrations to pay for rebuilding of the roads used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
Endorsed a disbursement of UAH 5.7 billion in housing subsidies to veterans and their families to compensate for the purchase of housing or pay a down payment on a mortgage loan;
Endorsed a decision allowing domestically manufactured drones to be purchased through the Prozorro platform;
During a working trip to Donetsk region, Denys Shmyhal inspected projects for the installation of cogeneration systems. The head of the government announced that four energy-efficient boilers with a capacity of 10 MW each are planned to be installed in boiler houses in Donetsk region;
The Ukrainian company Compass Engineering has developed a thermal imaging detection technology tailored specifically against Shahed-series drones; an initial shipment of the devices have been handed over to mobile firing squads operating in near the border areas.
Nearly 480 weapons and military equipment products, including 290 products made in-country, have been commissioned for operational use by the Ukrainian Armed Forces over the first half of this year;
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal instructed the Ministry of Defense to immediately report to the government about the use of the UAH 38 billion earmarked in government funding for the construction of defensive lines;
Beginning on July 17, men citizens aged 18 to 60 will be obliged to carry military registration documents when crossing the state border;
The Ministry of Defense has authorized more than seven dozen UAV products, all developed and manufactured in-country, for operational use by the Defense Forces over this year so far.
Ukraine has upgraded its economic status to an upper-middle-income country, according to a new World Bank classification. Previously, Ukraine was classified as a lower-middle-income country, and even fell into the low-income category from 1999 to 2001.
In June 2024, Ukraine's international reserves fell by 2.9%, to $37.894 billion.
Naftogaz Group companies increased gas production by 8% year-on-year to reach 7.3 billion cubic meters over the first half of 2024.
The first person convicted of a war crime - the murder of a civilian in Sumy region - Russian soldier Vadym Shishimarin is serving his sentence in Ukraine, despite Russia’s request to get him exchanged.
According to EnergyMap, Ukraine imported 858.400 MWh of electricity over June, 6% up compared to all of 2023.
ALLIES AND PARTNERS
U.S. visit by a Ukrainian delegation
On July 2, Defense Ministers Rustem Umerov of Ukraine and Lloyd Austin of the USA met at the Pentagon to discuss issues related to bolstering bilateral cooperation and partnership, as well as the security situation. At the meeting with Umerov, Lloyd Austin announced a new $2.3 billion defense aid package for Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken met with the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak to discuss issues relating to Ukraine’s integration into the Euro-Atlantic community, bolstering Ukraine’s self-defense capability, as well as energy security among other issues of importance.
On July 3, Ukrainian Minister of Defense, Rustem Umyerov, who was on a visit in the USA among other members of the Ukrainian delegation, met with the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken to talk over air defense systems deliveries to Ukraine and the upcoming NATO Washington Summit.
The plans for the forthcoming NATO Washington Summit and the results of the Ukraine Peace Summit were discussed, in Washington, by Andriy Yermak, the head of the Office of the Ukrainian President and Phil Gordon, an aid to the US President and national security adviser to the US Vice President.
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On July 3, the United States government announced a major security and defense aid package for Ukraine, which will contain missiles for HIMARS launchers, air defense interceptors, and artillery ammunition among other supplies. This includes the authorization of a Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) package valued at up to $150 million, providing Ukraine with key capabilities such as additional air defense interceptors, artillery, and anti-tank weapons.
Furthermore, the DoD is unveiling a significant package of air defense interceptors funded by approximately $2.2 billion from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). This funding will be used to purchase interceptors for PATRIOT and NASAMS air defense systems for Ukraine. The Biden Administration plans to expedite the delivery of these munitions by re-sequencing upcoming Foreign Military Sales deliveries for Ukraine. Consequently, Ukraine will receive the urgently needed interceptors to protect its people and critical infrastructure against Russian aerial attacks.
NATO Allies have agreed to provide 40 billion euros ($43 billion) in military aid to Ukraine next year.
On July 6, Mistral short-range air defense systems and missiles provided by Estonia were delivered to Ukraine. Mistral is an advanced surface-to-air missile system for intercepting helicopters and aircraft.
The Netherlands has announced soon delivery of 24 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, without specifying the exact date.
The Latvian Ministry of Defense announced it would deliver a new shipment of drones to Ukraine, containing over 2,500 drones worth 4 million euros.
On July 6, the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer expressed his support for Ukraine, adding that he is looking forward to a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky soon.
On July 2, the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel accepted the credentials of the newly appointed Ambassador of Ukraine to the Czech Republic, Vasyl Zvarych.
The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Dennis Francis said that he had not seen a single document confirming that Russia legitimately holds the seat of a veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council.
The United States currently has no confirmation indicating the deployment of North Korean engineering troops to Russia in support of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.
The Czech Republic is handing over dozens of electricity and heat cogeneration systems to Ukraine.
The King of United Kingdom, Charles III appointed the leader of the British Labor Party, Keir Starmer as the U.K. Prime Minister, following his landslide victory over Rishi Sunak, and formally instructed him to form a new government.
The European Union has reinstated protective tariffs on eggs and sugar from Ukraine starting 2 July due to excessive import volumes.
On July 1, Hungary took over the rotating six-month presidency of the EU Council from Belgium
PUBLICATIONS AND INTERVIEWS
July 1/ Rescue from an energy crisis: it is difficult, expensive, but it does exist.
July 1/ Trump's "Peace Plan": how realistic is it for Ukraine, the Russian Federation and the USA?
July 1/ "Second Chernobyl" and "dirty bomb": the Kremlin's nuclear blackmail as a weapon against the Ukrainian energy industry.
July 2/ Lessons from "Defense of Ukraine": how UAH 1.74 billion is being spent.
July 2/ Harvesting campaign in Zaporizhzhia region: sweat and tears.
July 2/ Ihor Terekhov, mayor of Kharkiv: Rumors that Kharkiv was pro-Russian is a harmful and deliberately created myth
July 3/ The situation on Toretsk axis: very difficult, but not hopeless
July 3/ Serhii Yaremenko, leader of the 96th air defense missile brigade: Not a single ballistic missile has reached its target in Kyiv since May 2023;
July 3/ Treasures of Crimea. Return back to Ukraine.
July 3/ Yuriy Bilousov, Head of the War Department at the Prosecutor General's Office: Russia’s new Minister of Defense is in the ICC’s spotlight
July 4/ There are 5-7 minutes allowed for evacuation: how the "White Angels" work
July 4/ Orban's visit to Ukraine: why and with what did he come?
July 5/ U.K. parliamentary elections: support for Ukraine will not weaken despite the Conservatives’ defeat
July 5/ Dennis Francis, President of the UN General Assembly: Russia's invasion of Ukraine amounts to tearing up the UN Charter and throwing it in the trash
July 6/ Battle for Trump: how to win the prospective US president over in Ukraine’s favor
July 6/ Oleh Sentsov, the Ukrainian filmmaker-soldier: We were ready to lay down our lives during a counteroffensive
July 7/ Yehor Chernev, head of the Permanent Delegation of the Ukrainian Parliament to the NATO PA: The West does not see a threat to the world from Russia's war of aggression
Compiled by Maryna Dmytriv, Kyiv