Key Takeaways
Russian forces continued a measured return from the operational pause and did not make any confirmed territorial gains on July 17.
Russian forces continued limited ground assaults around Siversk, Bakhmut, and Donetsk City and otherwise fired at civilian and military infrastructure throughout the Donbas.
Russian forces focused on defensive operations north of Kharkiv City and along the Southern Axis.
The Kremlin may be setting long-term conditions for force generation efforts in anticipation of protracted hostilities in Ukraine.
Russian occupation authorities are likely using the threat of partisan activities to justify harsher societal controls in occupied areas.
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📌 In Irpin, 27% of the population were left without housing
🔎 The Pentagon assessed the impact of HIMARS on the course of the war in Ukraine
“Ukrainians hit targets such as ammunition depots, supplies, other logistics centers, command, and control centers. And all this directly affects the possibility of conducting operations at the forefront on the course of the war,” said a Pentagon spokesman.
⚡️ Canadian MPs ask Government to explain Nord Stream Turbine relocation
They note that they are concerned about the precedent for lifting sanctions in a situation where Russia is using gas as a weapon, and call it a “slap in the face for Ukrainians” at a time of difficult trials.
📣 Ukraine may push back Russian troops to pre-war positions until 2023, which will nullify Russia's territorial gains, — former US Army Europe Commander General Ben Hodges. According to the general, the key to Ukraine's success will be the elimination of Russia's "only advantage" — Putin's artillery and missile arsenal.
🔚 The German fund that financed Nord Stream 2 is pulling out of the project, Reuters reports
According to the head of the fund, the organization wants to break all ties with Nord Stream 2 by paying 12 million euros of its obligations.
📣 Ukraine can count on NATO’s support "as long as it takes" because a strong, independent Ukraine is necessary for the security of the Euro-Atlantic region and global stability — Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg
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⚡️ BBC: Russian proxies in Donetsk Oblast capture another British citizen, John Harding, held captive by Russian proxies.
⚡️ Official: Russia moves ‘significant number’ of ships from Crimea to Russia.
Serhii Bratchuk, a spokesman for Odesa Oblast’s military administration, reportedly citing Ukraine’s Armed Forces, said Russia has moved ships from Sevastopol in Crimea to Novorossiysk, Russia.
⚡️ Deputy PM: New wave of internally displaced people expected in fall.
Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said in a televised interview on July 17 that over 500,000 people are anticipated to move westwards before winter.
⚡️ Mayor: Russian forces prepare so-called ‘referendum’ in Melitopol for early Sept.
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Todays UK int update concentrates on Wagner. They make the rather dry comment that Wagner have lowered their recruiting standards .... !
There have been generally accepted reports that Ukraine lost a plane, a chopper and a pile of US missiles yesterday :(