Ukraine – 7/8/2023 Sitrep
By: Robert Homans & Bohdan Chomiak
July 8, 2023
Ebook Update
We are busy completing our Ebook, covering the 1st week of the war. It will be over 100 pages and since this is our first Ebook, that includes our emails sent during the 1st week of the war, we’re experiencing a learning curve with some of the technical complexities. We now expect to send it out to all existing supporters on Monday, July 10th. If you would like to support us, in any amount, please click on the link HERE by July 10th. We will be happy to add you to the existing recipient list.
500 Days – Thoughts From the Co-Authors
From Bohdan - Today is the 500th day of the war. A lot has been said already about this war and much more will be said in the future. From my perspective there was never any reason for this war other than the belief of the russian elite that they were unjustly stripped of their empire.
The ghosts of history that drove the russians to engage in a war of vengeance drive similar senseless confrontations. Currently conflicts in the Himalayas between India and Pakistan, Afghanistan and the rest of the world, China and India, as well as in other parts of the world keep bringing home the point that history has a greater hold on peoples and nations than we admit. No one is safe from the folly of pretending to be above the past or pretending to be the true and faithful scions of historical right.
The bleak future where history is erased a la Orwell's 1984 or Zuckerberg's mindless METAVerse of bloodless gore and endless carnal pleasures is even more frightening than today.
We must not surrender or abandon the future to these twisted truths.
From Robert – 500 days means that we have likely sent out around 350 of our emails since the start of the war. We’re now into the 72nd week, and it seems that since the start of the war we’ve been averaging 5 emails.
It doesn’t seem like that many, perhaps because we are committed to bring an often contrarian view about Ukraine’s ability, both militarily and socially, because in Ukraine one cannot be distinguished from the other, to defeat and humiliate “the Horde,” a favorite term among Ukrainians when referring to Russia, and Russians (with all due apologies to Mongolians). Another example of a major reason why we keep sending out these emails took place last night, on PBS’s “Washington Week.” More on that later.
For me another much more important reason why I am committed to keep sending out the emails is because my wife is Ukrainian, and 5 members of her family who are now serving in the military, including 1 who is in the hospital recovering from wounds, and another fighting is in his 3rd conflict, Afghanistan and Russia’s Donbas incursion being the first 2. I have several friends who are fighting including Katerina, the sniper-turned-drone operator, and several friends whose children are on the front lines.
My thanks go out to several people who have contributed to these emails, either from sending their observations from Ukraine, or sending me articles, links to YouTube videos, etc. To be honest, I usually ignore the articles and videos people send to me about Putin. Putin hates to be ignored, even by someone as inconsequential as me.
Although I’m 5,000 miles away from Ukraine, I’m inspired by the words of my favorite song by the Kinks, “Hollywood Boulevard,” where the refrain is, “everybody’s in showbiz and everybody’s a star.” Relating to Ukraine, and the support that people give to Ukraine no matter where they might be, the Kinks might’ve added this line - “we can all contribute something, no matter where we are.” What the Kinks sang about Celluloid Heroes applies to all Ukrainian Heroes, “Celluloid Heroes never feel any pain, and Celluloid Heroes never really die.”
The Useful Idiots
Two examples include yesterday’s edition of PBS’s “Washington Week,” particularly David Sanger of the New York Times. In his comments, one can be excused if he or she thinks that Sanger is repeating talking points supplied to him by the Kremlin. Here are three examples:
· Regarding the recent decision by the Biden Administration to provide Ukrainee with cluster munitions, Sanger stated that in the end, Pres. Biden concluded that it’s better to give cluster munitions to Ukraine than seeing Ukraine lose the war. If true, this is yet another example of the defeatist attitude that has stalked the Biden Administration since the start of the war, often amplified by remarks by any number of commentators and journalists, including Sanger. It is also untrue. First, by many accounts Ukraine now has the most powerful army in Europe. Second, Ukraine is now getting ammunition from additional sources, including S. Korea and, likely Japan. Third, what is meant by “lose?” If Ukraine has a ceasefire forced upon it, one that includes loss of territory, Ukraine will keep fighting, and NATO will end up having a nasty guerrilla war on its eastern flank. It should be kept in mind that after the end of WW-II Ukrainian partisans, without any outside assistance, fought against the Soviets until the early 1950/s. History will repeat itself.
· Sanger never mentions that fact that Russia has used cluster munitions on Ukrainians, including on hundreds of waiting passengers, including children, at the train station at Kramatorsk. He also doesn’t ask the obvious question – why would Ukraine consciously use cluster munitions against its own citizens?
· To a subsequent question about Ukraine’s NATO membership, Sanger said that it is difficult to make promises to Ukraine because “we don’t know what kind of country Ukraine will be after the war, that it has only a limited history as a democracy.” He also added, in an almost apocalyptic way, that Ukraine is under martial law. Well, of course it is. Sanger doesn’t mention that Ukraine has held several free and fair elections. What does Sanger think that Ukraine is fighting and dying for?
There is also the latest Lawrence Freedman, where he cites a few examples of statements by useful idiots, including:
· Harvard’s Graham Allison – “ Graham Allison expects few territorial gains. He notes the difficulty both sides face in overcoming resolute defences and in mobilising ‘the 3-to-1 advantage offensive forces usually need to force a breakthrough.’ As Russia currently occupies 17 percent of Ukraine’s territory, noting Ukraine’s current rate of advance he concluded that it would take another 16 years for it all to be recaptured.
· Texas A&M’s Christopher Layne – “Writing with Benjamin Schwarz, Layne went through all the standard explanations about why the war is really the fault of the United States, and concluded that negotiations are the answer because Ukraine cannot recapture all of its territory, although he added that Russia is also unlikely to make much more headway.”
· “Chicago’s John Mearsheimer, who has been to the fore for in blaming the West for goading Putin into war, went further. Russia will ‘ultimately win the war,’ he asserted, not by conquering all of Ukraine but by annexing a ‘large swath of Ukrainian territory, while turning Ukraine into a dysfunctional rump state.’ It will be able to achieve this ‘ugly victory’ because even if the Ukrainians do manage to break through the well-prepared defensive lines, Russia has sufficient troops to stabilise the front and continue with attritional battles. ‘The Ukrainians are at a disadvantage in these encounters because the Russians have a significant firepower advantage.’ He even dismissed claims that up to now Russia has suffered more casualties than Ukraine simply because ‘Russia has much more artillery than Ukraine.’ It is much easier to opine on such matters when you insist that your theories are right and the evidence is wrong.” (my bold face) NOTE: It is unclear if Russia does have sufficient troops to man their defensive lines, thanks to shaping operations that Freedman spoke about later in his blog)
News From the Battlefield
Concerning Ukraine’s Counteroffensive, the latest Lawrence Feedman toes on to make the following points:
· “The UK’s Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radikin, describes Ukraine’s approach as ‘starve, stretch and strike.’ Starve refers to the regular attacks on Russian logistics and command structures,,and stretch to the ‘multiple axes being probed and feints by Ukraine.’ Their aim is to take advantage of the length of the front line, over a thousand kilometres. As each attack requires a response, this can lead to the progressive commitment of Russian reserves. Strike is what we are still waiting for. That will be when the bulk of the twelve fresh and modernised brigades, two thirds of which are still being held back, can be pushed forward. That is why Radikin and others say that the full counteroffensive has yet to start.” (my bold face)
· “Most importantly the US have now agreed to supply cluster bombs (DPICM - dual-purpose improved conventional munitions). These can be fired from howitzers or HIMARS and release large numbers of small bomblets to cover a wide area. They will not only help the Ukrainians stay in the ‘artillery race’ for some months but also add to their tactical options, as they can be used to suppress Russian trenches while mine-clearing is underway.”
· “This is a critical stage of the war and a lot depends on what happens over the coming weeks. So far Ukrainian advances have been modest – a bit over 160 square kilometres. Some units are now close to Russia’s main defence line although most are still some distance away. We can note evidence of poor coordination between Russian units and how they often, but not always, lose out in small-scale engagements, but also that Russian defences have not yet buckled. This remains a tough and costly fight for Ukraine. During this attritional phase we can see the potential for progress but it has yet to be realised. Only when and if the strike phase is reached will we be able to measure Ukrainian progress on the map.”
What Freedman seems to be suggesting is that the conclusions that Allison, Layne and Mearsheimer are making are based on their own intellectual baggage, but not facts on the ground, at least not yet.
“Cluster Munitions Will Help Russia Deal With the Russian Enemy”/Times Radio
Cormac Smith, former adviser to Ukraine’s foreign minister, gives an eloquent and powerful argument in support of the decision of the Biden Administration to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine. As Smith said, it doesn’t matter if a Russian soldier on Ukrainian territory is killed by a cluster bomblet or a British Challenger tank. He doesn’t mention that Great Britain is also provided depleted uranium munitions to be used by the Challengers. As Smith says, and I fully agree, give Ukraine everything they’re asking for, when they’re asking for it, because Ukraine is not only fighting for its own very existence, they are also fighting to protect Moldova, Poland, and the Baltic countries, that are either bordering Russia or, in the case of Moldova, has Russian troops on its territory.
The Latest “Reporting From Ukraine” We may be seeing 2 possible breakthroughs, in Southern Ukraine going toward Berdyansk and Mariupol which the latest “Reporting From Ukraine” is covering, and in Bakhmut’s southern flank. As Cormac Smith’s video seems to indicate, as well as reports that I’m getting, there is a lot of Ukrainian heavy equipment on the roads, heading east and south.
7/8/2023 Sitrep (my comment in bold face)
Russian Invasion of Ukraine 12:00 noon July 7 to 12:00 noon July 8, 2023
Abbreviations:
RMA = Regional Military Administration SBU = Security Service of Ukraine
RASHISTS = russian Facists/all russian invaders
INTERNATIONAL
Saturday July 8
12:04 am: The US supports NATO's "open door" policy, but countries applying for membership in the Alliance must meet certain requirements.
● This was stated by the coordinator of strategic communications of the National Security Council of the White House, John Kirby, the Voice of America reports.
● "But all the actions of the partners indicate that they are completely on the side of Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression," Kirby noted.
12:31 am: Erdogan said during a press conference with Zelensky that Ukraine deserves NATO membership.
7:42 am: Ukraine Not ready to membership V NATO on present moment, among war, and among members Alliance there is no unanimity about adoption of Ukraine V NATO now, — President USA Joe Biden exclusive interview of Farid Zakaria CNN.
● "But Ukraine needs to be offered a rational way of qualification for joining NATO. And while Ukraine is not in NATO, the United States will provide it with the same security guarantees as Israel," said the US president.
9:21 am: The grain agreement should not depend on the mood with which Putin woke up - Volodymyr Zelenskyi.
● Turkish President Erdogan emphasized that Turkey wants to extend the grain corridor for two years.
● After the meeting with Zelenskyi, Erdogan also said that Ukraine deserves NATO membership.
● It would seem that Turkey could very easily extend the grain corridor by agreeing to do the following: Along with other NATO members, enforce a no-fly zone for the portion of the grain corridor transiting international airspace over the Black Sea; re-flag the grain carriers as was done with the oil tankers during the “Tanker Wars” in the Persian Gulf.
10:26 am: Joe Biden on providing Ukraine with cluster munitions:
● "It was a very difficult decision on my part. And by the way, I've discussed it with our allies, I've discussed it with our friends. This war is about ammunition. And they're running out of ammunition, and we don't have enough of it. And this is what I finally did, I accepted the recommendation of the Ministry of Defense - not on a permanent basis - for a transitional period, until we get more 155-mm shells, these ammunitions to the Ukrainians."
Friday July 7
12:57 pm: Even the worst scenario of the development of events at the Zaporizhzhya NPP captured by the Russian military will not pose a radiological hazard to the population, according to the conclusion of the American Nuclear Society.
● Also, the American Nuclear Society reminds that 6 reactors of the ZNPP have been shut down for more than ten months and no longer produce enough heat to cause a rapid radiological release.
1:57 pm: Volodymyr Zelenskyy is going to Slovakia.
● "Important meetings in Bratislava with President Zuzana Chaputova and the Prime Minister. Together with our reliable neighbor, we will talk about defense support, Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, the upcoming NATO summit and energy security," the President of Ukraine said.
2:12 pm: NATO leaders in Vilnius will approve a multi-year support package for Ukraine, which will bring it closer to the alliance, said Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of the Alliance.
2:31 pm: Volodymyr Zelenskyy together with the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala laid flowers at the Velvet Revolution memorial in Prague, which is the central place of commemoration of the struggle for freedom and democracy.
2:52 pm: Allies promise to provide Ukraine with 500 million euros for basic needs such as fuel and medicine, — NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
● The Alliance will also help ensure Ukraine's defense needs, including military hospitals.
● NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi will attend the NATO summit in Vilnius.
3:05 pm: Volodymyr Zelenskyi has already met with the President of Slovakia Zuzana Chaputova.
4:38 pm: The House of Representatives of the Netherlands, the lower house of the country's parliament, recognized the Holodomor of 1932-1933 as genocide of the Ukrainian people, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced.
5:22 pm: Volodymyr Zelensky met with the President of Slovakia Zuzana Chaputova.
● "We have reached such a level of cooperation that strengthens both our countries - both in security and in international affairs," Zelenskyy wrote.
5:37 pm: Slovakia will transfer 16 Zuzana-2 self-propelled guns to Ukraine and set up joint production of howitzers.
● This was announced by the President of Slovakia, Zuzana Chaputova.
● "We will jointly develop a new type of howitzers, joint production of ammunition will begin, and our enterprises will demine the territory of Ukraine," Chaputova said.
6:06 pm: Germany announced the transfer of a new package of military aid to Ukraine:
● another bridge for Biber armored vehicles;
● Biber armored bridge paver;
● DACHS armored engineering vehicle;
● six 8x8 HX81 heavy-duty tractors and three semi-trailers;
● three means for radio interference;
● two anti-drone sensors.
6:22 pm: Volodymyr Zelenskyi and Slovak President Zuzana Chaputova held a press conference after the official meeting.
● "[...] We discussed our defense and foreign policy cooperation in great detail: very specific projects, very specific things that really help here and now," Zelenskyy writes.
6:36 pm: Germany's budget committee approved the purchase of munitions worth 783.3 million euros: part of which Germany will transfer to Ukraine, — Europäische Sicherheit und Technik.
● Ammunition is intended for the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer, the Puma infantry fighting vehicle, the Leopard 2 battle tank and small arms.
● According to the publication, Ukraine will receive ammunition worth 203.1 million euros.
8:15 pm: Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed his working visit to Turkey:
● "We are ending a busy day in Turkey. Negotiations with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Coordination of positions on the peace formula, the NATO summit, security guarantees and the grain initiative.
● Reconstruction of Ukraine, defense contracts between our enterprises".
9:18 pm: The US will transfer cluster munitions to Ukraine, the White House said.
"We base our security assistance decision on Ukraine's needs, and Ukraine needs artillery to support its offensive and defensive operations," White House spokesman Jake Sullivan said.
9:45 pm: Ukraine has provided written assurances that it will use cluster munitions on its territory, minimizing risks to the civilian population.
● This was stated by Jake Sullivan, US President's National Security Adviser.
9:55 pm: The US officially announced a new $800 million security package for Ukraine, White House.
● The security package includes:
o 32 "Bradley" BMPs and 32 "Stryker" armored personnel carriers;
o 31 155-mm howitzers;
o additional ammunition for "Patriot" and "HIMARS" air defense systems;
o AIM-7 air defense missiles;
o anti-aircraft complexes Stinger, Javelin;
o 105-mm and 155-mm artillery shells, including DPICM (cluster munitions);
o tube-launched missiles, Penguin unmanned aerial systems and explosive munitions;
o demining equipment, spare parts, small arms and 28 million rounds of them;
o 27 tactical vehicles for lifting equipment;
o 10 tactical vehicles for towing and transporting equipment.
10:20 pm: Volodymyr Zelensky met with the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
● "Negotiations are very important. Security - both in the Black Sea region and in Europe in general. Formula of peace. Protection of our countries, our people and interests. Attention to the summit being prepared in Vilnius.
● We will separately discuss the protection and development of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and further efforts for food security. The world must be protected from any kind of terror," the President of Ukraine emphasized.
10:36 pm: Biden will make an "important speech" following the results of the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, says the director of the Council of Europe at the White House.
● It will concern the issue of providing further support to Ukraine and protecting democratic values.
10:50 pm: Great Britain will deliver 17 specialized fire trucks to Ukraine. They will increase the country's ability to protect its infrastructure.
● This was stated by the Minister of Defense of Britain, Ben Wallace, which is quoted by The Independent.
● According to the Ministry of Defence, emergency response vehicles and major foam machines, provided by the Royal Air Force and Defense Fire and Rescue Service and the Welsh Government, are due to arrive in the coming weeks.
11:24 pm: German intelligence was informed about the attempted rebellion of the leader of the "Wagner" Communist Party Yevgeny Prigozhin in Russia better than it was known before.
● This is stated in the investigation of the German WDR and NDR.
● It is noted that she eavesdropped on conversations between Prigozhin and Lukashenka. The German foreign intelligence service learned about this conversation from its own sources.
NATIONAL
Saturday July 8
12:39 am: Special forces of the "A" TsSO of the SBU successfully destroy the equipment and personnel of the enemy.
● "This time, the list of enemy losses was replenished with: 2 tanks, 2 Acacia self-propelled guns, 3 Hyacinth-B guns, 2 armored personnel carriers, a Reb station "Pole-21" and a video surveillance camera, 25 cars, 3 firing positions, 13 enemy fortifications and one warehouse with ammunition. And 72 occupiers abruptly "dropped out of the chat".
● In addition, together with the artillerymen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 2 "Hrads", 2 units of special equipment, 6 warehouses and another 55 invaders were additionally damaged," the SBU press service writes.
1:36 am: Threat of using ballistic weapons in the regions where the alarm has been declared - Kherson, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Sumy regions, the Air Force reports.
1:49 am: Today is the birthday of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Valery Zaluzhny.
● It is his 50th anniversary. We wish endurance, strength and health.
2:41 am: Countering the threat of using ballistic weapons. There remains a threat of enemy use of attack UAVs for the Kirovohrad, Cherkasy, Mykolaiv, Kherson and Dnipropetrovsk regions, the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reports.
4:38 am: Mykolaivsk, Kherson region - repulse threat of enemy attack UAVs, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports.
7:09 am General Staff Armed Forces: Today at night Russian federation inflicted regular blow Iranian percussive BpLA type “Shahed” by Ukraine. Information of consequences this one terrorist attacks now being clarified, -.
● the Russians are concentrating their main efforts on the Kupyan, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiiv, and Marin directions. During the past day, 36 combat clashes took place.
● Over the past day, the Air Force of the Defense Forces has struck 7 strikes on Russian personnel concentration areas, 4 on anti-aircraft missile complexes, and 1 on the command post, the General Staff of the Armed Forces.
● Also, 2 reconnaissance UAVs of operational-tactical level were destroyed. During the day, units of missile troops and artillery hit 2 control points, an ammunition depot, 8 artillery pieces in firing positions, 2 anti-aircraft defense equipment and 2 electronic warfare stations.
8:00 am: Explosions were heard in Dnipropetrovsk region, in Kramatorsk district of Donetsk region, in Kryvyi Rih, in Zaporizhzhya region, in Kropyvnytskyi, subscribers reported.
8:34 am: «500 days full-scale war. Serpentine. Free island free of Ukraine", - Volodymyr ZelEnskyi thanked everyone who fought against the Russians on Zmiiny Island.
● "We honored the memory of the heroes who gave their lives in this battle - one of the most important during the full-scale war.
● Glory to everyone who fights for security in our Black Sea! Honor!" - added the president.
9:06 am: At night, 5 "shaheeds" were destroyed by air defense forces - the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
● It was not possible to intercept part of the attack UAVs. "Shahedy" hit industrial facilities and infrastructure facilities in Dnipropetrovsk and Kirovohrad regions. No victims beforehand.
Friday July 7
1:36 pm: The Ministry of Health supported the legalization of drugs based on medical cannabis (marijuana), - deputy head of the department Ihor Kuzin.
● "On the part of the Ministry of Health, we definitely support such a legislative initiative. A large number of countries have already made such legislative changes. This does not mean that cannabis will be used for recreational purposes," Kuzin said.
3:56 pm: Reznikov outlined the contours of Ukrainian defense in the future
● In his article on the "Interfax-Ukraine" website, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Oleksiy Reznikov, made public the position of the Ministry of Defense regarding the necessary global transformations in the defense sphere. Including:
● The record of conscripts must be fully digitized.
● The accounting function should be separated from the reserve preparation function.
● Conscription will be abolished and replaced by an intensive basic military training course for conscripts.
● The priority is the development of weapons production.
● The Ukrainian defense industry should turn into a highly profitable one and become one of the locomotives for achieving the goal of "GDP - $1 trillion".
4:59 pm: Klitschko appealed to the prime minister to approve the requirements for modular shelters
● Kyiv city authorities want to receive a list of criteria and requirements for mobile shelters. As well as the conditions for their inclusion in the fund of protective structures of civil defense, the letter signed by Vitaliy Klitschko, which was sent to the head of the government today, reports KMDA.
● In Kyiv, the number of the simplest shelters is currently increasing due to the arrangement of underground space, overhaul and retrofitting of existing shelters, the KMDA reports. Kyiv also plans to install more than 200 modular shelters in sleeping areas to protect people from missile debris and enemy UAVs.
5:58 pm: Threat of using ballistic weapons in Poltava, Kirovohrad, Donetsk, Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions, where an alert has been declared, reports the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
● "Do not ignore the air warning signals! Head for shelter," the message reads.
6:50 pm Operational information from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 6:00 p.m. on July 7:
● "Tonight, the Russian occupation forces attacked the territory of Ukraine with Iranian strike drones of the Shahed type.
● Units of anti-aircraft missile forces, fighter aircraft and mobile fire groups of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed 12 out of 18 attack UAVs.
● "In addition, the enemy launched a missile attack on the territory of one of the Zaporozhye infrastructure facilities.
● He also carried out 42 airstrikes, carried out about 30 attacks from rocket salvo systems on the positions of our troops and populated areas.
● Unfortunately, civilian infrastructure was destroyed, and civilians suffered."
● "[...] In the area of the village of Rozivka, Zaporizhzhia region, about 20 Russian soldiers refused to perform combat tasks at forward positions.
● After that, they were taken into custody and moved to the building of the Roziv District Court."
● "The Defense Forces of Ukraine continue to conduct an offensive operation in the Melitopol and Berdyansk directions, are entrenched at the reached boundaries, inflict fire damage from artillery on the identified enemy targets, and carry out counter-battery combat measures."
● "The enemy is concentrating its main efforts on the Kupyansk, Lymansk, Bakhmutsk, Avdiivsk and Marinsk directions, heavy battles are ongoing.
● About 20 combat clashes took place during the day."
● "During the day, the air force of the defense forces struck 6 strikes on enemy personnel concentration areas, 2 on anti-aircraft missile complexes and 1 on the enemy's control point.
● Also, our defenders destroyed 2 operational-tactical reconnaissance UAVs.
● During the day, units of missile troops and artillery hit the control post, 7 artillery pieces in firing positions and the enemy's radio-electronic warfare station.
8:00 pm: Activity of enemy tactical aviation in the waters of the Sea of Azov, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports.
● Do not ignore the air alert.
8:25 pm: Magyar: "500 days in the war. The birds grew...
● I appeal to military personnel and civilians.
● In connection with the significant (x5) consolidation of the unit, I announce the recruitment of a wide list of specialists.
● All details are in the video, see here: youtu.be/fCrBmGI02I8
o ‼️Questionnaire to be filled out by pilots:
o https://forms.gle/JT8n4w2LJ4exCdUg9
o ‼️Questionnaire to be filled out by other specialists:
o https://forms.gle/iWemrauXnKYmSjt37
Please spread this information as much as possible."
10:11 pm: Ukraine managed to return the bodies of the dead Ukrainian soldiers in Olenivka, DNA analysis is now underway.
● This was reported by Dmytro Lubinets, the authorized representative of the Verkhovna Rada on human rights.
● "Let me remind you that people who had the official status of prisoners of war died in Olenivka! They were verified by the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross)," writes Lubinets.
11:04 pm: "Everything is fine, everything will be fine, everything is according to plan, guys - well done. We will win", - Valery Zaluzhnyi together with Shaptala visited the operational-strategic groups of the "Khortytsia" and "Tavria" troops.
MORDOR
Saturday July 8
12:19 am: In Moscow, an additional anti-aircraft complex was deployed at the largest Salaryevo landfill, - The Insider.
● According to the publication, a radar was previously placed there, and now the Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile and gun complex, additional living quarters for the military, fuel canisters and, probably, ammunition have appeared there.
9:35 am: During the night, the border town of Shebekino in the Belgorod region of the Russian Federation came under fire from the Grad anti-aircraft missile system, the governor of the region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, said.
● According to preliminary data, there were no casualties as a result of the shelling.
Friday July 7
9:22 pm: The take-off of MiG-31K fighters of the Russian Air Force from the Savasleyka airfield was recorded, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports.
● Do not ignore the air alert.
11:34 pm: In the city of Sorokyne, Luhansk region, a Russian-made BC flight arrived, local media reported.
REGIONS
KYIV
Friday July 7
1:16 pm press service of the SBU: the SBU has opened criminal proceedings against the abbot of the UOC (MP) church in the village of Borodyanka Viktor Talk, who helped the Russians during the occupation of Kyiv region.
● Data on his possible assistance to the Russians in the forced deportation of almost 100 residents of the Kyiv region to Belarus during the temporary occupation of the region are currently being verified.
● In addition, SBU employees are investigating the circumstances of the operation of the Russian torture chamber on the territory of the temple, which is under the care of Talko.
7:44 pm: The Ministry of Internal Affairs has fully implemented the 112 service in Kyiv - a single number for calling all emergency services.
● "The operators receive calls from citizens. Then the requests are directed to the necessary divisions, which respond accordingly.
● It is important that there are operators working with sign language who can communicate with applicants via video call," the Ministry of Internal Affairs writes.
9:41 pm: It is reported that many residents of Kyiv and Odesa received an emergency alarm notification.
● It does not pose an additional threat, the cause of alarm is the take-off of MiG-31K fighters, a potential carrier of the Dagger aeroballistic missile.
SUMY
Friday July 7
10:06 pm: Sumy region - threat of using attack UAVs. This was reported in the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
KHARKIV
Saturday July 8
10:42 am Kharkiv RMA: During the day, the Russians carried out air, mortar and artillery strikes in the Kupyan, Kharkiv, Izyum, Chuguyiv, Bogodukhiv districts, -
● A 9-story residential building was damaged in the city of Vovchansk. A 62-year-old man was injured. He received a shrapnel wound and was hospitalized.
DONETSK
Saturday July 8
12:31 am: The Third Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine showed the process of clearing enemy positions near Bakhmut.
1:43 am Social Networks: Explosions were heard in the Kramatorsk district of the Donetsk region.
11:27 am Donets RMA: At least 6 people were killed and 5 injured as a result of shelling by Russian terrorist forces of Lyman.
● Around 10 a.m., the Russians struck the city with multiple rocket-propelled grenade launchers, targeting the private sector. A house and a shop were damaged. The police are on site. Paramedics provide the necessary medical assistance.
11:16 am Donets RMA: Russians fired 16 times from the Vugledar artillery in the Volnovasky direction.
● Kurakhivska, Chasovoyarska communities, Kostyantynivkua, Torske and Yampol were also under fire.
● In total, the Russians wounded 5 residents of Donetsk region in one day.
Friday July 7
12:34 pm: During the day, the Armed Forces of Ukraine advanced more than 1 kilometer in the direction of Bakhmut, said the spokesman of the Eastern Group of Forces, Serhiy Cherevaty.
● "In total, there were 7 combat clashes, during which 61 occupiers were killed, 116 were wounded, and 5 Russians were captured. Two enemy BMPs, an armored personnel carrier, an amphibious assault vehicle, a Grad anti-aircraft missile system, and two Hyacinth self-propelled artillery units were also destroyed. , two cannons, two radar stations, five warehouses with ammunition and an anti-tank complex," he said.
8:03 pm Social Networks: Explosion in temporarily occupied Donetsk.
8:40 pm: In Bakhmut, Russian troops are actually trapped, reports Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine Hanna Malyar.
● "Our troops made the movement of the enemy as difficult as possible and made it impossible to get out. Shelling continues from both sides.
● On the Bakhmut direction, on the southern flank, there is an advance in several sections - more than a kilometer," the message says.
ZAPORIZHIA
Saturday July 8
4:23 am Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the Zaporizhzhia region.
11:47 am: the Russians continue to mine the ZNPP. Currently, mines and explosives are being delivered to the territory of the ZNPP, - GUR.
● Mine-explosive barriers are installed in technical rooms and machine rooms, which consist of remotely controlled and unguided anti-personnel mines of the directional type.
● Soviet-type directional mines are mostly used: MON-50, MON-90, MON-100, MON-200.
10:04 am Zaporizhia RMA: Russians fired 62 shots at 15 settlements.
● Two residents of Preobrazhenka were injured - a 63-year-old woman and a 47-year-old man.
● So far, 32 reports have been recorded about the destruction of houses, apartments, administrative buildings, school premises, cars and other property of residents.
11:02 am: the Russians are planning to take the homes of the residents of Energodar to encourage Russians to work at the ZANP, - GUR.
● According to the received information, a meeting was held at the station with the participation of the first deputy head of Putin's administration Kiriyenko and the Gauleiter of the Zaporizhzhya region Evgeny Balytsky regarding additional stimulation of potential workers from Russia. For this purpose, it is planned to provide Russians with housing confiscated from Ukrainians who left the territory of Energodar.
● It is planned that up to 4,500 Russians will be resettled in this way. However, currently there are not many people who want to go to the ZANP.
Friday July 7
12:04 pm Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Zaporizhzhia.
12:18 pm: In Zaporizhzhia, smoke is visible after the explosions. Photo from subscribers.
4:20 pm Zaporizhia RMA: the Russians hit the regional center with S-300 shells
● "The projectiles hit the infrastructure object. One of the buildings caught fire. Specialists are working on eliminating the consequences of the shelling. The residents of Zaporizhzhia were not injured," the message says.
DNIPRO
Saturday July 8
1:40 am Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the Dnipro region.
2:17 am Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kryvyi Rih.
8:16 am Dnipro RMA: At night Russians hit by Crooked horn drones. Kissed by agricultural the enterprise.
● A 26-year-old man was injured. He was hospitalized in moderate condition.
● There were two fires at once. In total, the fire covered 360 square meters. Several warehouses were destroyed, equipment and cars were damaged. The survey of the territory is ongoing.
KHERSON
Friday July 7
8:33 pm Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the suburbs of Kherson.
11:50 pm: According to SBU materials, a collaborator who guarded administrative buildings captured by the Russians during the occupation of Kherson will spend 8 years behind bars.
● According to the investigation, the detainee turned out to be a local resident who voluntarily cooperated with the aggressor during the occupation of the city.
● In addition, he participated in the abductions of Kherson residents who resisted the invaders, who were then sent to Russian torture camps.
KIROVOHRAD
Saturday July 8
4:51 am Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kropyvnytskyi. Previously - air defense work.
6:48 am: Countering the threat of enemy use of attack UAVs in the Kirovohrad region, - Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Comparing Soviet invasion of Afghanistan to Russian invasion of Ukraine using Wikipedia and Ukraine Ministry of Defense Daily Bulletins. Soviet and Russian military losses not including captured equipment.
SOURCES
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/
https://espreso.tv/
https://cutt.ly/Blyskavka
https://t.me/uawarinfographics
https://t.me/svoboda_radio