Daily Briefing From Ukraine

Your news for the morning of Friday, July 21 – Day 513 of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.

·      Top 8 Headlines

·      President Zelensky’s Message of the Day

·      Infographic of the Day

·      Ukraine Summer Offensive Summary

·      FYI Kyiv Locals

Headlines

1.     The White House confirmed Ukraine is now using US cluster bombs against Russian forces. National Security Advisor John Kirby said that “they’re using them effectively and they are actually having an impact on Russia's defensive formations and Russia’s defensive maneuvering,” Kirby said. In an interview with Fox News, Kirby also said that F-16 fighter aircraft may be supplied to Ukraine by the end of 2023.

2.     Wheat prices remained up by 13 percent since Russia sunk the UN-brokered Black Sea grain export deal. “We are already seeing the negative effect on global wheat and corn prices which hurts everyone, but especially vulnerable people in the Global South,” the UN’s General Secretary said. In response, Ukraine has begun to establish a new seaborne route, according to Reuters. Kyiv also declared that ships on the Black Sea headed for Russian-controlled ports would be treated as potential carriers of military cargo, mirroring a similar Russian declaration. At least three people have died and more than 20 injured in Russian strikes on the southern Ukrainian ports since the deal ended. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China confirmed that the Chinese Consulate General was damaged by a Russian strike on Odesa.

Other Topics of Interest

Russia to Introduce Drone Operation into School Curriculum for Occupied Territories

A Ukrainian official said the Kremlin plans to provide every school in occupied territories with drones and soldiers for training and called the move “a brazen violation of international law.”

3.     Sanctions against nearly 100 additional Russian individuals and more than 75 additional companies and organizations were imposed by the EU, UK, Canada, Australia and the US. The Council of the European Union also placed a new sanctions regime against Iran. They prohibit the export from EU countries to Iran of components used in the construction and production of unmanned aerial vehicles, such as Shaheds sold to Russia, as well as travel restrictions and asset freezes on Iranians responsible for Iran's drone program.

4.     Ryanair announced plans for a post-war return to Ukraine. Europe’s largest low-cost airline intends to invest $3 billion to help revive Ukraine’s aviation industry. The investment plan includes basing up to 30 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft at three airports in Ukraine.

5.     Ukraine’s Minister for Culture, Oleksandr Tkachenko, resigned amid apparent disputes with President Zelensky about wartime funding priorities.

6.     The European Union is drawing up plans for a $22 billion fund to be spent over four years to militarily support Ukraine, according to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

7.     The final death toll from Russia’s destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant was 31 people in the territories controlled by the Ukrainian government, said Ihor Klymenko, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.

8.     Britain’s top spy and head of MI6, Richard Moore, said China is supporting Russia in its war on Ukraine.

President Zelensky’s Message

Infographic of the Day

Ukraine Summer Offensive Summary

Snapshot

“Push me, pull me” type gains: for Ukraine in Bakhmut and south, and for Russia in north.

General Developments

Russian forces launched a fourth night of missile and drone strikes against port and grain infrastructure in southern Ukraine following Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

The focus of Western partners has significantly shifted to repairing and maintaining weapons handed over to Ukraine, Pentagon spokesperson William LaPlante said to Politico.

A Russian company that is under investigation by authorities presented financial rewards to Russian forces for the capture of Western military technology.

Operational Aspects in Bakhmut

Pro-Russian milbloggers said Ukrainian forces continued to “take up positions” near Yahidne which is on Bakhmut’s northern flank. Previously, most Ukrainian progress has been reported on Bakhmut’s southern flank.

Pro-Russian milbloggers also said that “the Armed Forces of Ukraine managed to gain a foothold on the heights near Klischiivka” [Bakhmut’s southern flank] and that “occupied several new positions near the M-03 highway in the Orikhovo-Vasylivka area” [northern flank].

Ukrainian military spokespersons confirmed progress on both flanks.

Operational Aspects in Kupyansk, Kherson, Crimea, Russia and other areas

Satellite imagery from Planet Lab showed destruction at the Russian base near Stary Krym in Crimea.

Pro-Russian milbloggers claimed without verification that “in the Kupyansk direction in the Kharkiv region, units of the Zapad group continue successful offensive operations. In a few days, the advance of our forces amounted to more than 3 kilometers.” They also claimed that more Ukrainian forces were being transferred to the zone.

Pro-Russian milbloggers said Ukrainian forces attempted to “land troops on the islands of Hola Prystan” on the Dnipro River 10 kilometers south of Kherson.

Atesh, an apparent pro-Ukraine partisan movement based in occupied Crimea, said on its Telegram feed that Russian authorities are preparing a “massive search against Ukrainian patriots and activists of the resistance movement.” It said the Russian focus is especially on resistance in the Kerch and Kirov districts (where the Russian military base was recently hit).

Russian media outlets reported that an airfield in Ryazan region of Russia was attacked by an unmanned aerial vehicle. “According to preliminary data, the explosion could have been carried out using a handmade quadcopter,” Baza stated.

Pro-Russian milbloggers reported on-going shelling in Belgorod region of Russia.

Operational Aspects on Boundary of the Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions and in Western Zaporizhzhia

In the western Zaporizhzhia region, pro-Russian milbloggers said the Ukrainian forces continued to attack south of Orikhiv and “managed to take up new positions northeast of Robotyne and west of Novopokrivka.”

In the boundary region, pro-Russian milbloggers said Ukrainian forces attacked near Staromaiorske, Urozhayne and Novodonetske, and “managed to advance” in the latter.

FYI Kyiv Locals

At twelve Metro stations across Kyiv today, there will be first aid training for anyone interested. Training time is from one o’clock to five o’clock in the afternoon. Classes are free. List of locations on www.kyivcity.gov.ua.