[ZH] Early Monday, Ukraine succeeded in its first successful drone attack on a major Russian refinery since mid-May. Dozens of drones were launched from Ukraine with the objective of crippling Russia's energy infrastructure.
Bloomberg reports Rosneft PJSC's major Tuapse refinery in southern Russia was damaged in a drone attack overnight, which sparked a fire, Russian officials said.
"Infrastructure of the oil refinery in Tuapse was damaged as a result of falling drone debris," Russian authorities wrote in a Telegram statement, adding the fire has since been contained.
Some of the clearest video so far of this conflict shows one of the Ukrainian drones striking the Tuapse refinery.
In a separate Telegram statement, the Russian Defense Ministry said 75 Ukrainian drones were intercepted. At least eight of those drones were shot down near the refinery.
Ukraine has spent much of this year focusing on launching attacks on Russia's energy complex (an attempt to paralyze Moscow's war financing). The Tuapse refinery is Russia's largest on the Black Sea, with an annual refining capacity of 12 million metric tons (or averaging 240,000 barrels per day). It supplies naphtha, fuel oil, vacuum gas oil, and high-sulfur diesel to mainly China, Turkey, Malaysia, and Singapore.
"This is the first successful Ukrainian attack on a major Russian refinery since mid-May, and it comes just as Russia's oil-processing industry is on track to raise its runs to a six-month high to meet growing domestic fuel demand," Bloomberg noted. The last major attack on Tuapse was in mid-May. We penned a note covering the incident titled "Desperate Ukraine Launches Massive Kamikaze Drone Attack Against Russian Black Sea Coast, Sparking Fire At Major Refinery."
Despite Ukraine's targeting of Russian energy infrastructure to slow crude product exports, energy analysts are still forecasting growth for Russia's oil-processing volumes through the end of August.
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Worth noting, korrespondent.net has compiled its Invasion of Ukraine series into separate months, beginning May 9th, 2023. Linked in the title.
[Korrespondent] 22:19 The Patriot air defense system from Germany has arrived in Ukraine, Zelensky said in an evening video address. He also said that he heard Syrsky's report on the frontline situation today: "The commander-in-chief himself toured some of the brigades. The key issue is the provision of our military. What exactly is missing - in each direction, in all our main positions. The distribution of shells and a sufficient number of drones, first of all."
In addition, the president heard a report from the Air Force commander - "both on the work of our fire groups - on shooting down "shahids" and on countering Russian missiles." There was also a report from the head of the SBU. "Good results in countering collaborators. There are also some things that we cannot talk about publicly now. It is simply not worth it. The occupier must feel it," Zelensky noted.
21:58 Russia lost about 20,000 of its soldiers during its offensive on the Kharkiv region, Zelensky said in an interview with the BBC: "But we stopped this offensive, their offensive failed, and that's a fact. Their maximum penetration from the border was 10 km. We stopped them. About 20,000 of their people died. These villages in this gray zone cost them this... I don't see success in this operation. And when our reserves are full, we will restore our positions."
20:47 In Sumy Oblast, Russians attacked a combine harvester with an FPV drone during harvesting in the Belopolskaya community of Sumy district - one person was killed, one was injured, the prosecutor's office reported.
19:59 The Russian army is preparing a new offensive in the Kharkiv region, said Nazar Voloshin, spokesman for the OSGV Khortitsa. According to him, assault brigades of the 11th Army Corps, the 155th Marine Brigade and the 18th Motorized Rifle Division have been spotted in the area of Glubokoe. The enemy is also remotely mining the area using UAVs. According to Voloshin, the Russian assault groups are also being regrouped in the area of Vovchansk.
18:43 On Monday, July 22, power outage schedules will be applied throughout the day, Ukrenergo reported. From 01:00 to 05:00, one turn of shutdowns will be in effect, from 18:00 to 23:00 - three turns, and at other times - two turns.
18:31 From May 18 to July 16, 4,690,496 conscripts updated their military registration data in compliance with the law on mobilization, said Defense Ministry spokesman Dmitry Lazutkin. In particular, 510,000 conscripts updated their data through territorial recruitment centers, 1,152,000 people through administrative service centers, and more than 3 million people through the Reserve+ application.
16:45 Russian troops shelled residential areas in the Dniprovsky district of Kherson - four people were wounded, OVA reported. Two more people were injured in Kizomys, where the Russians dropped explosives from a drone. In addition, in the morning the enemy attacked Novoberislav with a kamikaze drone - one person was seriously wounded.
12:54 Zelensky said that the difference between the killed and wounded among Ukrainians and Russians is very big: "If we have one killed for 6-8 wounded, then for them it is every second or third." "I know how many people we lose every day. I see these changes every day. And they are not for the better. There are no fewer," the president noted.
10:56 On the night of Saturday, July 20, Kiev was attacked by a new unknown drone - it was flying at a very low altitude of 20-30 meters and was officially reported as an "unidentified type of UAV". The specialized publication Defense Express showed photos of this drone, which show that it really is very different from the Shahed-136. According to experts, the drone slightly resembles the Russian ZALA 421-20, but this UAV is a reconnaissance one, and therefore would hardly fly at such a low altitude. Moreover, drones of this type are rare and are unlikely to be produced. The remains of this drone are currently being examined.
09:01 At night, Russians fired from S-300 at the village of Bely Kolodets in the Chuguevsky district of the Kharkiv region - two people were injured, said the head of the OVA Oleg Sinegubov. Another person was injured in the same village the day before as a result of an FPV drone strike. In addition, two people were wounded in the evening of July 20 in the village of Kazachya Lopan in the Kharkiv district and one in the village of Pechenegi in the Chuguevsky district, where the Russians attacked a private enterprise with an Iskander missile.
08:55 On the evening of July 20, Russians launched a missile attack on the Bashtansky district of the Nikolaev region - a fire broke out in the warehouse of an agricultural enterprise, and private houses were damaged by the blast wave. Two people were injured, said the head of the OVA, Vitaly Kim.
08:47 Air defense destroyed 35 of 39 Shahed-type attack UAVs at night, the Air Force reported. In addition, Russia attacked with three Iskander-M ballistic missiles and two Kh-59/69 guided air missiles. The Kh-59/69 missiles did not reach their targets due to active counteraction. Air defense operated in Sumy, Poltava, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Mykolaiv, Odessa, and Cherkasy regions.
08:19 In the Donetsk region, eight people were wounded as a result of Russian shelling on July 20, reported the head of the OVA Vadim Filashkin.
08:11 In the Kherson region, four people were wounded as a result of Russian shelling over the past day, reported the head of the OVA, Oleksandr Prokudin. The premises of the humanitarian headquarters, 17 private houses, and a power line were damaged.
07:43 In the morning, Russians launched a missile strike on critical infrastructure facilities in the Shostka district of Sumy Oblast, OVA reported.
07:29 The General Staff announced the estimated losses of the Russian Federation as of the morning of July 21:
personnel - about 566,710 (+1100) people,
tanks - 8266 (+9),
combat armored vehicles - 15,963 (+46),
artillery systems - 15,586 (+44),
MLRS - 1121 (+0),
air defense systems - 896 (+1),
aircraft - 362 (+0),
helicopters - 326 (+0),
Operational-tactical level UAVs - 12,402 (+52),
cruise missiles - 2401 (+0),
ships/boats - 28 (+0),
submarines - 1 (+0),
automotive equipment and tank trucks - 21,036 (+68),
special equipment - 2616 (+9).
05:48 At night, the Russians again tried to attack Kiev with attack drones, all of them were destroyed on the approaches to the capital, said the head of the KGVA, Sergei Popko. At this moment, there are no damages or casualties in Kiev.
02:12 Russian troops captured the village of Progress in Donetsk Oblast, the analytical project Deep State reports. The enemy also advanced in Krasnogorovka, Peschanoye, near Lozovatskoye, Novooleksandrivka, Progress and Andreyevka.
00:03 After talks with Trump, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote a column for the Daily Mail, in which he outlines his vision of a possible end to the war in Ukraine. Thus, in his opinion, Russia should retreat to the borders as of February 24, 2022, and the territory controlled by Kiev should be recognized as a free country with the prospect of early accession to the EU and NATO. Johnson also believes that the West should allow Ukraine to strike airfields on Russian territory with its weapons and increase military aid to Kiev. When the aggressor's troops are pushed back, Putin "could offer an agreement," Johnson believes.
After the war ends, some Ukrainian troops could be redeployed to European countries to replace some of the 70,000 U.S. troops deployed to deter potential Russian aggression. That would allow Trump to "save money, bring American troops home, and force Europeans to do more to defend themselves, which is one of his key goals," Johnson said.
Russia could then declare that the so-called "special military operation" had accomplished its task and "denazified" Ukraine. Special protective measures would have to be introduced for the Russian-speaking population of Ukraine.
Johnson also noted that with President Trump in the White House, "there is a real prospect of some global rapprochement with Russia, and with Putin, a return to the days when Russia was a respected partner of the G8 and even NATO."
Johnson writes that Trump understands that the defeat of Ukraine will be a huge defeat for the United States. And Putin, in turn, will become a threat to all countries of the former USSR. At the same time, a threat will arise for Taiwan from China and for Israel from Hezbollah, and the United States will have to choose: either give up world leadership or enter the war. In general, Johnson believes that Trump can end the war on terms favorable to Ukraine and the West. "I'm not saying it will be easy. It will require strength. It will require determination. It will require nerves of steel," Johnson sums up.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[LB] The Russians are carrying out infantry assaults in the Toretsk direction.
by Ivanna Kapustyanska
The Russian army is trying to capture Chasiv Yar in the Kramatorsk direction, trying to break through Ukrainian defenses west of Bakhmut. The enemy continues to suffer significant losses.
This was stated by the spokesman of the "Khortytsia" OSU, Nazar Voloshin, in a comment to the "Interfax-Ukraine" agency.
According to Voloshyn, units of the enemy's 98th Airborne Division are operating in the Chasovoyariv direction against the Defense Forces of Ukraine, with the support of units of the 200th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade (14th Army Corps of the Leningrad Military District), as well as the 11th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade and the 102nd Motorized Rifle Regiment (150th Motorized Rifle Division), units of the 217th and 331st Parachute Regiments of the 98th airborne division, which supported units of the 102nd Motorized Rifle Regiment and the 11th Separate Airborne - Assault Brigade. Unusual in that the 11th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade is a unit most commonly associated with operational fighting, being usually attached to armies and fronts as a deep strike unit.
Due to losses, the enemy needs at least "regrouping in place".
The spokesman emphasized that the enemy is concentrating efforts to break through Ukrainian defenses west of Bakhmut in order to reach the border along the canal, capture Chasiv Yar and create conditions for further advancement to the Kramatorsk agglomeration.
Battles in the area of Chasovoy Yar continue daily, only in the past 24 hours, 438 shellings were recorded in this direction only in the area of Chasovoy Yar. Enemy aviation carried out 18 airstrikes, dropping 27 anti-aircraft missiles, 22 of them in the Toretsky direction.
Directly in the Toretsk direction, as the spokesman noted, the enemy is conducting infantry assaults from the detachment to the company without the involvement of armored vehicles. The occupiers are actively using aviation in this direction, in particular, the districts of Severnye and Toretsk settlements were bombed.
The journalists of "Ukrainian Witness" showed what Chasiv Yar looks like now , which the Russians are incinerating with mortars, drones and thermobaric bombs. And the fighters of the 24th OMBr told what the consequences could be if the Russians manage to capture the city.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Korrespondent] The Russian military is most active in the Kharkov, Kupyansk and Pokrovsk directions.
Since the beginning of the day, there have been 58 combat clashes on the front. The enemy is most active in the Kharkov, Kupyansk and Pokrovsk directions. This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in a report on Sunday, July 21.
The situation at the front is characterized by enemy activity in the Kharkov, Kupyansk and Pokrovsk directions.
Kharkiv region is under constant fire from enemy aircraft. Today the Russians have already dropped seven UABs. They aimed at the areas of the settlements of Volchansk, Liptsy, Borshcheva, Glubokoe, and also struck Dekhtyarnoye with unguided air missiles.
In the Kharkov direction, Russian occupiers attempted to storm the defensive lines of the Ukrainian military in the area of Glubokoe and Vovchansk seven times. All enemy attacks were repelled by units of the Defense Forces.
In the Kupyansk direction, the enemy has actively attacked the Ukrainian Armed Forces positions in the area of Sinkovka, Stelmakhovka, Berestovoye and Andreyevka seven times, two clashes are still ongoing. Ukrainian soldiers continue to steadfastly hold the defense.
In the Liman direction, the Russian army carried out five attacks near Makeyevka and Terny. Three combat clashes ended without success for the enemy, two more are ongoing.
In the Seversky direction, near the settlements of Verkhnekamenskoye and Vyemka, the defenders of the Ukrainian land repelled three attacks by the Russians. In the Kramatorsk direction, the occupiers carried out two assaults on the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Andreevka. The battle is currently underway. The situation is under control.
In the Toretsk direction, the number of enemy attacks has increased to four. The enemy has concentrated its efforts in the area of Severnoye, Zheleznoye and New York, where four clashes occurred, three enemy attacks are still ongoing. The occupiers are actively using aviation in this direction, in particular, the areas of the settlements of Severnoye, New York and Toretsk have been bombed, today the enemy has already dropped 13 UABs.
The Pokrovsky direction saw the largest number of clashes. Since the beginning of the day, the occupiers, with the support of aviation, have already made 23 attempts to push the Ukrainian Armed Forces from their positions in the areas of Progress, Novoselovka Pervaya, Vozdvizhenka, Novoaleksandrovka, Kalinovoye and Umanskoye. The defense forces are holding back the onslaught and have currently repelled sixteen enemy attacks, with seven attacks still ongoing. Enemy losses are being clarified.
Fighting continues near Krasnogorovka, Georgievka and Karlovka in the Kurakhovsky direction . Four attacks by the Russian army have been repelled in this area today.
In the Vremivsky direction, the enemy is actively using aviation, and has struck the areas of the populated areas of Ugledar, Yekaterinovka, Urozhainoe, and Staromayorskoye.
In the Orekhov direction, the occupiers made three unsuccessful attempts to attack our units near Rabotino and in the direction of Novodanilovka. The Russians also dropped two guided air bombs on Stepnogorsk.
In the Dnieper direction, the enemy carried out air strikes, dropping guided aerial bombs on the areas of the settlements of Tyaginka, Tomarino and Burgunka in the Kherson region.
Let us recall that over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Armed Forces eliminated 1,110 occupiers . Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Russian army has lost 566,710 people.
Article Linked To Is Available Only Via VPN.
[EngMilRu] The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.
The Sever Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of AFU 34th marines, 15th mechanised, 127th territorial defence, and 13th national guard brigades close to Tikhoye, Tsirkuny, Kazachya Lopan, Liptsy, Volchansk, Zhovtnevoye and Staritsa (Kharkov region).
Four counterattacks launched by units of AFU 92nd Assault, 23rd Mechanised, and 36th Naval Infantry brigades were repelled.
The AFU losses amounted to up to 145 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, two U.S.-made 155mm M777 howitzers, one 152mm D-20 howitzer, two 122mm D-30 howitzers, and one Croatian-made 128mm RAK-SA-12 multiple rocket launcher system.
The Zapad Group of Forces liberated Rozovka (Lugansk People's Republic) and Peschanoye Nizhniye (Kharkov region) as a result of the successful actions, and captured more advantageous lines and positions.
Units of AFU 77th airmobile, 14th, 115th, 116th Mechanised, and 1st National Buard brigades were hit near Sinkovka, Petropavlovka, Berestovoye (Kharkov region), and Krasny Liman (Donetsk People's Republic).
The AFU losses amounted to more than 520 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, 12 motor vehicles, three 155mm howitzers, to include two U.S.-made M198 and one UK-made FH-70 howitzers, two 122mm D-30 howitzers, one U.S.-made 105mm M119 gun, and one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar station.
Five AFU ammunition depots were eliminated.
The Yug Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line, hit manpower and hardware of AFU 24th, 30th, 54th Mechanised, 56th Mechanised Infantry, 79th, 80th Air Assault brigades, and the 225nd Separate Assault Battalion close to Seversk, Grigorovka, Chasov Yar, Iliynka, Katerinovka (Donetsk People's Republic).
One attack launched by assault units of the AFU 10th Mountain Assault Brigade was repelled.
The AFU losses amounted to up to 510 Ukrainian troops, one armoured personnel carrier, and two motor vehicles.
In the course of the counter-battery warfare, one Polish-made 155mm Krab self-propelled artillery system, 155mm howitzers, two include U.S.-made M777 and M114, and UK-made FH-70 howitzers, two 152mm D-20 howitzers, three U.S.-made 105mm M119 guns, and one UK-made 105mm L-119 howitzer were destroyed.
Two AFU ammunition depots were destroyed.
The Tsentr Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and inflicted losses on units of AFU 25th Airborne Brigade, 32nd, 41st, 47th Mechanised, and 129th Territorial Defence brigades close to Toretsk, Mikhailovka, Zhelannoye, Novgorodskoye, and Volchye (Donetsk People's Republic).
Seven counterattacks launched by units of 95th Air Assault, 31st, 151st Mechanised, 68th Jaeger brigades, and the 425th Separate Assault Battalion were repelled.
The AFU losses amounted to up to 330 Ukrainian troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, three motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155mm M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system, one 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, three 122mm D-30 howitzers, one UK-made 105mm L-119 howitzer, and three field ammunition depots.
The Vostok Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of AFU 72nd Mechanised, 58th Mechanised Infantry, 120th Territorial Defence, 17th and 21st National Guard brigades near Oktyabr, Vodyanoye, Novosyolka, Prechistovka, Razdolnoye, and Stepnoye (Donetsk People's Republic).
One counterattack launched by units of the AFU 102nd Territorial Defence Brigade was repelled.
Over 115 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, one UK-made 155mm FH-70 howitzer, one U.S.-made M198 howitzer, and one 122mm D-30 howitzer were neutralised.
The Dnepr Group of Forces hit manpower and hardware of AFU 141st Infantry, 35th Naval Infantry, 15th National Guard brigades close to Stepnoye and Novodanilovka (Zaporozhye region).
Over 80 Ukrainian troops, five motor vehicles, one 152mm Msta-B howitzer, one 152mm D-20 howitzer, and one Anklav electronic warfare station were eliminated.
Two warehouses of rocket and artillery weapons were destroyed.
Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged one U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS launcher; one depot storing up to 400 tonnes of AFU ammunition as well as Ukrainian military industrial enterprises, and manpower and military hardware in 133 areas.
Air defence systems shot down one Mi-8 helicopter of the Ukrainian Air Force, two French-made Hammer guided bombs, two U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, and 40 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles during the day.
In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 630 aircraft and 278 helicopters, 27,955 unmanned aerial vehicles, 554 anti-aircraft missile systems, 16,624 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,381 MLRS combat vehicles, 12,184 field artillery guns and mortars, and 23,910 units of special military vehicles have been neutralised.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[NewsFront] 23:59 Official summary of the DPR Representative Office in the JCCC from 00:00 21.07.2024 to 00:00 22.07.2024.
A total of 46 facts of armed attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces were recorded by the DPR Representative Office in the JCCC over the past day.
There were reports of four civilians being killed, and ten civilians were also injured, including a child born in 2011.
DAMAGED:
Two cars,
Nine residential buildings,
Five civil infrastructure facilities,
A total of 16 artillery attacks in the Donetsk direction.
A total of 27 artillery attacks in the Gorlovka direction.
Three artillery attacks in the Yasinovataya direction.
A total of 141 units of various ammunition were fired.
22:50 Khar'kov direction (Kupyansk area):
Active since lunch is underway work of barrel artillery. In particular, the 152mm MSTA-S self-propelled guns worked on the enemy's fortified positions. Now the 152mm Giatsints and 240mm 2S4 Tyulpans are working. At present, aerial reconnaissance is actively identifying new targets for the Ukrainian Armed Forces to strike with artillery.
21:43 Artillerymen of the Dnepr group of forces are striking the enemy in the Orekhovo direction
Russian servicemen regularly use various methods of informing the enemy about the possibility of surrendering. The so-called leafleting of positions and areas allows "covering" a significant area with leaflets and other propaganda materials. Objective control footage confirms the effectiveness of this method of propaganda for the enemy.
21:17 A driver was seriously injured in a drone attack on a highway in the Belgorod region; he was hospitalized, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said in Telegram channel.
20:14 At about 17:45 Moscow time, an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack using an aircraft-type UAV against targets on the territory of the Russian Federation was thwarted.
A Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle was destroyed over the territory of the Belgorod region by air defense systems on duty.
19:18 122mm D-30 howitzer crews are smashing enemy
Artillery units of the 1st Guards Tank Army of the West group of forces carry out precise strikes around the clock on exposed military facilities, positions, fortifications, military equipment and manpower of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
“In the last few days alone, our crew has hit an enemy mortar crew, an AGS, and disrupted the enemy’s rotation,” said the gun commander with the call sign “Ambal.”
18:33 The Ukrainian Armed Forces have struck four settlements in the Belgorod Region. Three private houses were damaged, two were completely burned down, Gladkov reported.
17:22 Russian forces, after liberating Rozovka of the LPR and Peschany Nizhny in the Khar'kov region, advanced in a 30 km wide area — TASS.
The advance of Russian forces in this section of the front is pushing Ukrainian troops towards the Oskol Reservoir and could lead to the encirclement of the Ukrainian Armed Forces group.
17:21 In the northwest of the LPR, after the capture of Rozovka by Russian military personnel, there are almost no territories left under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces - TASS.
16:15 Russian air defense systems shot down another Ukrainian drone in the skies over the Belgorod region, the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Sunday.
15:34 Crews of 130mm M-46 guns of the North group of forces destroyed strongholds, positions, mortars and manpower of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
Thanks to artillery support, assault groups of motorized rifle units of the North group of forces completed their combat mission – the strongholds of the Ukrainian Armed Forces came under the control of Russian military personnel.
15:28 Explosions occurred in the Kyiv-controlled city of Kherson, Ukrainian media reported.
14:13 The total losses of Ukrainian troops over the past day amounted to 1,700 people, according to a report from the Ministry of Defense.
14:10 New briefing from the Russian Ministry of Defense:
-- Russian air defense systems shot down a Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter.
-- The losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the zone of the “South” group amounted to 510 soldiers per day.
-- The losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the area of responsibility of the Eastern Group of Forces in one day amounted to more than 115 soldiers.
-- The Russian Armed Forces destroyed a HIMARS MLRS launcher and a warehouse with Ukrainian Armed Forces ammunition, where up to 400 tons were stored.
-- In one day, the Center group of forces defeated five enemy brigades and repelled seven counterattacks; the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 330 soldiers.
-- In one day, the troops of the Dnepr group inflicted losses on the manpower and equipment of three brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces; the enemy lost over 80 servicemen.
-- The Sever fighters defeated the manpower and equipment of four territorial defense brigades, the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the National Guard in the Khar'kov region.
-- The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 145 servicemen in the area of ??responsibility of the North group.
-- Over the course of a day, Russian air defense forces shot down a helicopter, two Hammer aerial bombs, two HIMARS projectiles, and 40 Ukrainian UAVs.
-- In the area of responsibility of the Western group, the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost over 520 servicemen.
13:08 Around 11:00 Moscow time, an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack using an aircraft-type UAV against targets on the territory of the Russian Federation was thwarted.
A Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle was destroyed over the territory of the Belgorod region by air defense systems on duty.
13:07 The Russian Armed Forces have liberated Rozovka in the LPR and Peschanoye Nizhneye in the Khar'kov region, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced.
12:20 Two critical infrastructure facilities in the Shostka district of the Sumy region of Ukraine have been destroyed, reported the mayor of Shostka, Nikolai Noga.
12:19 Around 10:20 Moscow time, an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack using an aircraft-type UAV against targets on the territory of the Russian Federation was thwarted.
A Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle was destroyed over the territory of the Belgorod region by air defense systems on duty.
11:25 Statement by the head of the press center of the Center group:
The Center group of forces continues to carry out combat missions in the area of the special military operation.
The group's units defeated the formations of the 32nd, 41st, and 47th Mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the areas of Toretsk, Novgorodskoye, Rozovka, Progress, and Novoselovka Pervaya.
They repelled eight counterattacks by assault groups of the 31st, 151st Mechanized, 95th Airborne Assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the "Lyut" assault brigade of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
The enemy lost up to 280 servicemen, four armored combat vehicles, five cars, a 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery unit, two 122mm D-30 howitzers and two 100mm Rapira anti-tank guns.
11:23 Footage the Ministry of Defense published information about the Iskander missile strike.
10:51 Iskander-M crews launched a missile strike on two Ukrainian Armed Forces military echelons in the DPR, destroying up to 240 militants and over 60 pieces of equipment, the Defense Ministry reported
09:47 Criminal Kyiv regime continues to shell civilian infrastructure of populated areas of the left bank of the Kherson region, yesterday during the day the Ukrainian Armed Forces released:
-- Three rounds in the village of Kostogryzovo;
-- in Kakhovka settlement three rounds;
-- n.p. Novaya Kakhovka four rounds;
--Six rounds in the village of Aleshki;
-- Four rounds in the village of Podstepnoye.
As a result of the artillery attack of the villages of Kostogryzovo and Novaya Kakhovka, two civilians were wounded.
During the night, the Kiev regime continued to shell civilian infrastructure in the villages of Kazachi Lagerya, Sagi, Aleshki, Golaya Pristan, and Peschanovka, firing a total of 25 rounds from cannon artillery.
Civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure are being clarified.
09:13 During the past night,stopped attempts by the Kyiv regime to carry out terrorist attacks using unmanned aerial vehicles of the aircraft type against targets on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Three UAVs were destroyed over the territory of the Belgorod region by air defense systems on duty, and five UAVs were intercepted in the Black Sea.
08:40 Telegram channel «Fisherman»:
Chronicle of the special military operation for July 20, 2024
– Over the course of 24 hours, Russian troops struck targets in Kyiv, Poltava, Nizhyn and Konotop. Ukrainian forces carried out a drone raid on the Millerovo airfield in the Rostov region.
– In the Kupyansk-Svatovsky direction, Russian troops broke through the enemy’s defenses in the Berestovoye area and established control over Peschanoye.
– In the Artemovsk direction, Russian troops are trying to gain a foothold on the opposite bank of the Seversky Donets-Donbass canal, advancing from the direction of Kalinovo.
– In the Donetsk direction, units of the Russian Armed Forces occupied the central part of Krasnogorovka, driving the enemy out to the northwestern outskirts of the city.
08:00 Official summary of DPR representative offices in the JCCC over the past day.
31 cases of armed attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces were recorded by the DPR Representative Office in the JCCC.
There were reports of three civilians being injured.
DAMAGED:
Two residential buildings,
Two civil infrastructure facilities.
A total of 16 artillery attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Donetsk direction,
A total of 15 artillery attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Horlivka direction.
In total, the Ukrainian Armed Forces fired 87 units of various ammunition.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] MiG-29 and MiG-31 fighters prevented a pair of US Air Force B-52H strategic bombers from violating the Russian Federation's state border, the Russian Defense Ministry's press service reported on its Telegram channel on July 21
The press release specifies that Russian airspace control systems over the Barents Sea have detected a group of aerial targets approaching the Russian state border. In connection with this, MiG-29 and MiG-31 fighters from the air defense forces on duty were scrambled to identify the aerial target.
"The crews of Russian fighters identified the aerial target as a pair of US Air Force B-52H strategic bombers. As the Russian fighters approached, the US strategic bombers turned away from the state border of the Russian Federation," the statement said.
The Russian military department clarified that the fighters returned safely to their base airfields and that there were no violations of the state border.
As reported by the Regnum news agency , on July 10, a Russian MiG-31 fighter jet drove away a Norwegian Air Force P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft from the Russian border .
On June 30, a Su-27P military aircraft pilot intercepted a Danish Air Force F-16 over the Baltic Sea in the Kaliningrad region. The Russian aircraft flew close to the intruder and forced it to change course by effectively "rocking" its wings and demonstrating its weapons.
On June 28, the Russian Defense Ministry reported an increase in the intensity of flights of American strategic drones over the Black Sea. The department clarified that this indicates greater involvement of the United States and NATO countries in the Ukrainian conflict, and also creates increased risks of a direct clash between the alliance and Russia.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] The head of the Kiev regime, Volodymyr Zelensky, will have to hold a referendum on achieving peace with Russia, said Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko in an interview with the newspaper Corriere della Sera.
He stressed that whatever step Zelensky takes, he risks committing political suicide. If Ukraine has to fight for another two years, it will be a nightmare, Klitschko added.
"Zelensky will probably have to resort to a referendum, I don't think he will be able to come to such painful and important agreements on his own, without legitimization by the people," the mayor of the Ukrainian capital said.
Klitschko also doubted that the head of the Kyiv regime would give up some of the power he gained due to the introduction of martial law. According to him, the parliament has lost any significant role, since Zelensky has concentrated too much power in his office.
Former US Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst previously told CNN that Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking about the possibility of negotiations with Russia, can no longer cope with the difficult situation at the front. In addition, he is in uncertainty due to the political situation in Washington.
As reported by the Regnum news agency, on July 15, the head of the Kiev regime said that representatives of the Russian Federation should participate in the second summit on the Ukrainian settlement. He noted that he had instructed to prepare for the summit by November. At the same time, in October 2022, Zelensky approved by his decree the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to refuse negotiations with Moscow.
The first summit was held in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, on June 15–16, at the initiative of Kiev. There were no representatives of Russia, nor were delegations from most UN member states. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the summit an attempt to formulate an ultimatum for Russia. He said that Russian representatives would not participate in these or any other negotiations if they tried to promote the so-called Zelensky formula.
In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin named the conditions under which Russia is ready to negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine. The head of state said that the Kiev regime must, in particular, abandon plans to join NATO, and also recognize the return of the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions to Russia.
More from regnum.ru Zelensky announces his readiness to negotiate with Putin
In an interview with the BBC on July 21,the head of the Kiev regime, Volodymyr Zelensky, admitted the possibility of negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Earlier, Zelensky issued a decree officially banning such negotiations. In an interview with a British radio station, the head of the Kyiv regime said that if Ukraine receives support from its partners, it will not matter which representatives of Russia it talks to.
"If a plan is ready at the second peace summit, if Russia is ready to discuss this plan and agree on ending the war, then we will be ready to talk with representatives of the Russian Federation. And it doesn't matter whether it is Putin or not. What difference does it make? If the world is united around Ukraine, we will talk with those who decide everything in Russia," Zelensky said.
He also admitted that the "hot stage" of the military conflict will end by the end of 2024 and as a result, Ukraine will not return part of the territories that were part of it before 2014. At the same time, Zelensky suggested that the "power of diplomacy" could help Kyiv return these territories.
As reported by the Regnum news agency, the first summit on Ukraine convened at the initiative of Kiev took place in June in Burgenstock, Switzerland. There were no representatives of Russia at the event, and delegations from most UN member states were not present either. Another similar event is expected to be held before the end of 2024.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the Swiss summit an attempt to formulate an ultimatum for Russia. He said that Russian representatives would not participate in these or any other negotiations if they tried to promote the so-called "Zelensky formula," which, among other things, demanded the transfer to Ukraine of regions that left it in 2014 and 2022 and returned to Russia (Crimea, the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions).
In June, Putin named the conditions under which Russia is ready to negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine. The Kiev regime must, in particular, abandon plans to join NATO, and also recognize the return of Crimea, the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions to Russia.
Zelensky's term as President of Ukraine expired on May 20. The elections were cancelled due to martial law introduced in the country in February 2022. At the same time, the Constitution of Ukraine does not provide for an automatic "extension" of the president's powers. The legitimate authority in Ukraine is currently the parliament, Putin noted. Before conducting negotiations on the settlement of the conflict, it is important for Russia to understand with whom they "can and should" be conducted in order to sign legally binding documents, the head of state emphasized.
Even more from regnum.ru Russian State Duma responds to Zelensky's statements on negotiations with Russia
Statements by the leader of the Kiev regime, Volodymyr Zelensky, about the possibility of negotiations with Russia are a game for the Western public. In this way, he wants to show that he allegedly strives for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, Radio Sputnik reports the words of the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee, Alexei Zhuravlev. For anyone not familiar with Russian politics, Alexey Alexandrovich Zhuravlev is a member of Rodina, a Russian conservative political party, who Wikipedia still lists Zhuravlev as its head. Despite its lower voter numbers (>1 percent), Russian president Vladimir Putin issued a cut-out of sorts so that Zhuravlev could serve in the Russian State Duma.
"Zelensky wants to show in this way that he is striving for a peaceful settlement, and to get Russia to refuse to come to his fake summit. We, the illegitimate one, have nothing to talk about - the presidential term has long expired, and the capitulation can be signed by one of the generals, as was the case with Hitler's Germany," Zhuravlev said.
The parliamentarian also noted that the head of the Kyiv regime found himself in a hopeless situation. In his opinion, Zelensky understands that "the fate of Ukraine will be decided without him." In the current situation, he can enter into dialogue with the Russian Federation, but only through an intermediary, Zhuravlev concluded.
On July 21, in an interview with the BBC, Zelensky allowed for the possibility of negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Earlier, Zelensky issued a decree officially banning such negotiations. In an interview with a British radio station, the head of the Kyiv regime said that if Ukraine receives support from its partners, it will not matter which representatives of Russia it talks to.
He also admitted that the "hot stage" of the military conflict will end by the end of 2024 and as a result, Ukraine will not return part of the territories that were part of it before 2014. At the same time, Zelensky suggested that the "power of diplomacy" could help Kyiv return these territories.
As reported by the Regnum news agency, the first summit on Ukraine convened at the initiative of Kiev took place in June in Burgenstock, Switzerland. There were no representatives of Russia at the event, and delegations from most UN member states were not present either. Another similar event is expected to be held before the end of 2024.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the Swiss summit an attempt to formulate an ultimatum for Russia. He said that Russian representatives would not participate in these or any other negotiations if they tried to promote the so-called "Zelensky formula," which, among other things, demanded the transfer to Ukraine of regions that left it in 2014 and 2022 and returned to Russia (Crimea, the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions).
In June, Putin named the conditions under which Russia is ready to negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine. The Kiev regime must, in particular, abandon plans to join NATO, and also recognize the return of Crimea, the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions to Russia.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. Russian State Duma calls for Biden to be held accountable for conflict in Ukraine
[Regnum] After Joe Biden leaves the presidential race, he must be held accountable for unleashing a military conflict in Ukraine. State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin told reporters on July 21.
"Biden must be held accountable for: the war he unleashed in Ukraine; the destruction of the economies of European countries; the sanctions policy against Russia and other countries. His hands are covered in blood," the speaker noted.
Volodin recalled that Biden created problems all over the world and in his own country, the United States. The head of the White House realized that he would not be elected, so he is running without waiting for the elections, the State Duma Chairman concluded.
As reported by IA Regnum, Joe Biden announced on July 21 that he was withdrawing from the presidential race, but intends to serve until the end of his term. He explained that he did not compete with presidential candidate Donald Trump for victory "in the interests of the party and the country." Biden thanked his team for their work, especially Vice President Kamala Harris. He called on Democrats to support her candidacy in the elections.
Earlier, 56 American diplomats, former officials and political experts called on Biden to abandon plans to seek re-election for a second term due to the high probability of defeat.
Former US President Barack Obama urged Biden to seriously consider the viability of his candidacy in the upcoming elections.
"Today is a black day for (the head of the Kiev regime, Vladimir. - Ed.) Zelensky and Europe, they don't like (former US President Donald. - Ed.) Trump," the Prime agency quotes the senator as saying.
As reported by Regnum News Agency, on July 21, Joe Biden announced that he was withdrawing from the presidential race, but would continue to serve until the end of his current term.
The US President's statement about withdrawing his candidacy from the elections raises many questions, since it is unclear whether Biden made the decision on his own, noted the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova. The entire world is working with a document published on behalf of the US President. At the same time, the statement itself was not oral, vocal or made in the presence of journalists, the diplomat pointed out.
US presidential candidate Donald Trump said that the head of the White House and his rival in the election, Joe Biden, left the presidential race in "utter disgrace". According to the Republican, Biden was protected and supported by "the Washington establishment, the US-hating media, and the corrupt deep state". They did everything they could, Trump concluded.
“Our priority is achieving the goals of the SVO, not the results of the elections in the US,” a Kremlin spokesman told Life.ru.
Commenting on Biden's decision, Peskov added that there are still four months left before the US elections, and a lot can change during this long period. It is necessary to monitor what happens next, the head of state's press secretary concluded.
As reported by the Regnum news agency, on July 21, Joe Biden announced that he was withdrawing from the presidential race. At the same time, he decided that he would continue to serve until the end of his current term. The American leader announced his decision in a special address on social networks. He claimed that in the three and a half years that he led the country, Americans as a nation "made great progress" in social and other issues, overcame the pandemic and economic crisis, and "protected democracy." Biden promised to tell more about the reasons for his decision later.
Biden also announced his full support for Vice President Kamala Harris' candidacy for the post of head of state.
US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump commented on Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race, calling him "the worst president in the history of the country." It is still unclear who will be the Democratic presidential candidate. Trump suggested that it could be Vice President Kamala Harris. The politician believes that she "will be easier to defeat than Biden."
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
