Ukraine Invasion: Part 50

[MagicFox]

Welcome, with love and thanks to all contributors and lurkers. Unbelievably, we’re on thread 50. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

Wonder what Trump will make of that?

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️Ukraine will receive https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-will-receive-first-f-16s-in-few-weeks-wp-reports/ first F-16s 'in few weeks,' WP reports. Ukraine is awaiting at least 79 F-16s from the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and Norway, with up to 20 expected to arrive this year.

⚡️Ukraine will introduce https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-will-introduce-action-plan-for-peace-by-end-of-november-zelensky-says/ 'action plan for peace' by end of November, Zelensky said in an interview with NHK published on July 27.

⚡️Polish Foreign Ministry suggests Hungary leave https://kyivindependent.com/polish-foreign-ministry-suggests-hungary-leave-eu-nato-after-orbans-controversial-statements/ EU, NATO after Orban's controversial statements.

⚡️ The transport of Russian military equipment toward Zaporizhzhia Oblast through occupied Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast has "sharply increased" in scale, said Petro Andriushchenko, an adviser to the city's exiled mayor, on July 29. https://kyivindependent.com/russia-moves-equipment-via-mariupol/

⚡️Fighting in Donetsk Oblast 'extremely challenging ' but Ukraine has 'strength to achieve its goals,' Zelensky says. https://kyivindependent.com/fighting-in-donetsk-oblast-extremely-challenging-but-ukraine-has-strength-to-achieve-its-goals-zelensky-says/

Russian forces have captured the village of Vovche in Donetsk Oblast, the crowd-sourced monitoring website DeepState reported on July 27, though the news has yet to be officially confirmed by Ukraine. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-russia-reportedly-captures-vovche-in-donetsk-oblast-advancing-toward-pokrovsk/

⚡️Around 500 people evacuated https://kyivindependent.com/around-500-people-evacuated-from-pokrovsk-in-donetsk-oblast-monthly-authorities-say/ from Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast monthly, authorities say
According to Dobriak, 60,000 people, including 4,000 children, remain in Pokrovsk. Another 4,000 children have been evacuated.

⚡️Chinese banks reject about 80% of Russian yuan payments, media reports. https://kyivindependent.com/chinese-banks-reject-about-80-of-russian-yuan-payments-media-reports/

⚡️ Ukraine damaged Russia's Tu-22M3 bomber 1,800 kilometers away from border, HUR confirms https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-damages-russias-tu-22m3-bomber-1-800-kilometers-away-from-state-border-hur-confirms/

⚡️US, India discuss Ukraine peace ahead of Modi's anticipated August visit to Kyiv. https://kyivindependent.com/us-india-discuss-ukraine-peace-ahead-of-modis-anticipated-august-visit-to-kyiv/

⚡️Russia's war kills 564 Ukrainian children https://kyivindependent.com/russias-war-kills-564-ukrainian-children-wounded-1-487-prosecutor-generals-office-says/ wounds 1,487, Prosecutor General’s Office says.

⚡️Wagner confirms https://kyivindependent.com/wagner-confirms-deaths-soldiers-in-mali/ deaths of soldiers in Mali, blames battle defeat on 'sandstorm.'

⚡️ 6 detained in Odesa https://kyivindependent.com/6-detained-in-odesa/ for allegedly setting fire to military vehicles on Russia's orders.

⚡️PTSD accounts https://kyivindependent.com/ptsd-accounts-for-29-of-neuralgic-diseases-suffered-by-military-defense-ministry-says/ for 29% of neuralgic diseases suffered by military, Defense Ministry says.

⚡️Olympic organizers revoke https://kyivindependent.com/olympic-organizers-revoke-accreditation-for-4-russian-journalists-state-owned-media-claims/ accreditation of 4 Russian journalists, state-owned media claims.

⚡️Train derailment in Russia's Volgograd Oblast injures https://kyivindependent.com/train-derailment-in-russias-volgograd-oblast-injures-more-than-100/ more than 100.

⚡️ Japanese fencer Kano, coached by Ukrainian, won gold at Olympics in Paris. https://kyivindependent.com/japanese-fencer-kano-coached-by-ukrainian-won-gold-at-olympics-in-paris/

⚡️ Russian attacks against Ukraine injure 23 over past day.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦 JUL 29, 2024
■ Casualties stay above avg & engagements below it
■ Record artillery losses (beating 66 announced on Feb 14, 2024)
■ Special equipment, MLRS & tank losses also above average
■ Unfavorable strike ratio but effective 🇺🇦 strikes

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Malaysia Applies to Join BRICS
According to the Bernama agency, Malaysia has submitted an application to join BRICS. In a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov assured that Russia would support Malaysia's aspirations to become a member of the BRICS group.

Reduced Participation in Russian Navy Day Parade
None of the ships that were reported damaged or destroyed by the Armed Forces Navy participated in this year's naval parade in honor of the Day of the Russian Navy. This year, only 25 ships took part in the parade, a significant decrease from the usual participation of at least 50 ships in previous years. [Moskva wouldn't be one of 'em]

Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Science Moriyama Masahito has arrived in Ukraine.

In France, several communication operators have experienced significant disruptions due to sabotage, according to Deutsche Welle. Unidentified individuals cut fiber optic cables in six regions, affecting the equipment of SFR and Bouygues Telecom. Paris, currently hosting the Olympic Games, was not impacted by this incident.

Zeekr to Block Electric Vehicles in Russia
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Zeekr will block its cars in Russia due to concerns about secondary US sanctions. The official export of electric vehicles to Russia is prohibited, and the disabling of functions will affect all electric cars manufactured after July 15, 2024, that are imported into Russia illegally.
Upon detecting a foreign SIM card, the manufacturer will send the owner a warning, offering the option to return the car to China. If this warning is ignored, the main screen functions, such as navigation, music, and air conditioning, will be blocked.

A full-scale conflict on the Korean Peninsula could have catastrophic human and economic consequences, potentially killing millions and costing the global economy $4 trillion in just one year, according to Bloomberg. The report highlights that the alliance between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin, revitalized after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, adds another layer of risk to a world already grappling with aggressive ambitions from the Kremlin and threats from China towards Taiwan. South Korea is a global leader in semiconductor production, making the probability of war low.
▫️South Korea's economy would be devastated, shrinking by 37.5% due to a drop in industrial production and exports.
▫️China's GDP would take a 5% hit due to the absence of South Korean semiconductors, decreased trade with the US, and disruptions in sea transportation.
▫️The US would experience a relatively smaller 2.3% drop in GDP, given its distance from the conflict and an economy dominated by services. However, chip shortages and falling markets would still pose significant challenges.
▫️Global GDP would decrease by 3.9%, with Southeast Asia, Japan, and Taiwan being the hardest hit due to their dependence on South Korean chips and vulnerabilities to disruptions in maritime shipping.
...... There is concern that Kim Jong-un might resort to nuclear strikes if he perceives an existential threat to his regime. A study by the Seoul Institute for Defense Analysis estimated that North Korea has about 80 to 90 nuclear warheads, sufficient to target South Korea, Japan, and even the United States.

In Italy, at the request of Ukraine, property of a Russian businessman worth 41 million euros was seized, — ANSA.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

The New York Times conducted an investigation into Russia's procurement of high-tech goods circumventing sanctions.
The Kh-101 missile, which Russia used to strike the "Okhmatdyt" hospital in Kyiv, contained an American FPGA chip manufactured. However, since the beginning of the war, FPGA worth over $390 million has been imported into Russia.

Leading scientists have written an open letter calling for support for Ukraine's accession to NATO, The Guardian reports https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/jul/27/ukraine-nato-membership?

🇺🇦Ukrainian fencer Olha Harlan is in the semifinals of the Olympic Fencing Games. She has just defeated Hungarian Anna Marton.

❗️ The Wagner PMC confirmed the death of Russian mercenaries in Mali.
The Telegram channel Wagner's Unloading, which is associated with the leadership of the Wagner PMC, reported that fighting continued near the town of Tin Zawatin on July 22-27. Wagner's men were fighting against the Azawad Coordination Movement (CMA) and the local al-Qaeda cell (JNIM).
It is alleged that under the leadership of Russian militant Sergei Shevchenko, the mercenaries allegedly repelled several attacks by the rebels, but by July 27, only three of them remained. Shevchenko himself was also killed.
The statement did not specify how many Wagner PMC militants were killed. However, the day before, the rebels claimed to have killed about 20 mercenaries.

🇺🇦Ukrainian athlete Daria Bilodid won her first fight at the Paris Olympics in 5 seconds.

The Russians have intensified the work of bot farms on content related to the murder of Ukrainian linguist Iryna Farion and the trial of the suspect in the crime.
Russian bot farms are also working to glorify the suspect. The Russians are trying to play on the publicity of the trial and split society as much as possible in terms of opinions about the trial.

In France, several communication operators have experienced significant disruptions due to sabotage, according to Deutsche Welle. Unidentified individuals cut fiber optic cables in six regions, affecting the equipment of SFR and Bouygues Telecom. Paris, currently hosting the Olympic Games, was not impacted by this incident.

Didn’t effect us or family elsewhere in France either…a fairly level headed assessment here which includes a mention it’s happened before:

https://www.wired.com/story/saboteurs-cut-internet-cables-in-latest-disruption-during-paris-olympics/

Wonder what Trump will make of that?

I doubt he's paying attention. It's just the usual blather and bluster from the Russian media. They aren't able to pose a serious military threat to Alaska, and they know it.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-29-2024

Key Takeaways:

• The US Department of Defense (DoD) announced on July 29 the provision of security assistance to Ukraine worth $200 million from the authorization of a Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) package and an additional package worth $1.5 billion in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funds.
• The Kremlin is intensifying its efforts to codify desired behavioral norms within Russia by cracking down against undesirable behavior in the Russian information space and within migrant communities.
• The Kremlin is likely attempting to establish prominent standards of acceptable and unacceptable behavior among populations within Russia whose behavior has recently threatened the Kremlin.
• Much of the Russian information space response to the recent Tuareg insurgent ambush of a Wagner Group in northern Mali coalesced around the suggestion that the Russian MoD will seek to benefit from Wagner losses, highlighting the continued distrust between the Russian MoD and both the Wagner Group in the Sahel and pro-Wagner commentators.
• Ukrainian drones struck Russian energy and utility infrastructure in Oryol, Voronezh, and Belgorod oblasts on the night of July 28 to 29.
• Russian forces recently made confirmed advances northeast of Kharkiv City, in Vovchansk, near Avdiivka, and southwest of Donetsk City.
• The Russian government continues to take legislative steps to use migrants and newly naturalized citizens to fulfill Russian military personnel needs.

Kyiv Independent Telegram highlights

⚡️US announces $200 million defense aid package for Ukraine https://kyivindependent.com/us-announces-200-million-defense-aid-package-for-ukraine/ The package is being provided to Kyiv under the presidential drawdown authority (PDA), which takes military equipment from existing U.S. military stockpiles, meaning that potential procurement-related delays will be limited.

Berlin has handed over eight Leopard 1 A5 tanks, 21,000 rounds of ammunition for Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, and other aid in its latest delivery of military aid to Ukraine, the German government said on July 29. https://kyivindependent.com/germany-delivers-leopard-1-tanks-rounds-other-aid-to-ukraine/

⚡️
Ukraine will likely need an additional $12-15 billion in foreign financial support next year as the war is unlikely to end in 2025, Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko said in an interview with RBC Ukraine published on July 30. https://kyivindependent.com/marchenko-financing-2025/

⚡️Ukraine reports Russian attacks on Huliaipole front in Zaporizhzhia Oblast after 'long pause.' https://kyivindependent.com/after-long-pause-ukraine-reports-russian-attacks-on-huliaipole-front-in-zaporizhzhia-oblast/

⚡️US officials say Russia is using unsuspecting Americans to spread election disinformation https://kyivindependent.com/us-officials-say-russia-is-using-unsuspecting-americans-to-spread-election-disinformation/

Authorities say that Russia remains the most significant threat in terms of election disinformation, while there are signs that Iran is increasing its activities and China is taking a cautious approach regarding the 2024 U.S. presidential race.

⚡️Hungary simplifies entry https://kyivindependent.com/hungary-simplifies-entry-for-russian-belarusian-citizens-german-media-reports/ for Russian, Belarusian citizens, German media reports.
Hungary is subtly relaxing its entry requirements for Russian and Belarusian citizens, who are now included in the National Card program which allows them to work in Hungary for up to two years.
The RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland news outlet (RND) reported that there is no special vetting process at the European level for National Card holders, which has raised concerns among Hungary’s neighboring countries.

Hungary's recent decision to relax its entry requirements for Russians and Belarusians will increase the risk of espionage and create national security concerns, the Financial Times (FT) said on July 30, citing a letter from Manfred Weber, the chair of the European People's Party. https://kyivindependent.com/hungarys-decision-to-ease-visa-restrictions-for-russians-increases-risk-of-spying-leading-eu-party-says/

⚡️Russian navy starts extensive drills https://kyivindependent.com/russian-navy-starts-extensive-drills-involving-majority-of-its-fleet/ involvingincluding 20,000 personnel and 300 ships, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on July 30.

⚡️ Czechia shows interest in Poland's Ukrainian Legion project. https://kyivindependent.com/czechia-shows-interest-in-polands-ukrainian-legion/

⚡️Ukraine hits substations in Russia's Kursk Oblast, military says https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-hits-several-traction-substations-in-russias-kursk-oblast-military-says/

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has threatened to cut off diesel supplies to Ukraine if Kyiv does not resume the transit of pipeline oil from Russia's Lukoil company to Central Europe, he said on July 29. https://kyivindependent.com/slovakias-fico-threatens-to-cut-off-diesel-supplies-to-ukraine-over-russian-oil-dispute/

⚡️ EU irritated with Hungary, Slovakia over their Russian oil spat with Ukraine, Politico reports. (https://kyivindependent.com/eu-irritated-with-hungary-over-its-russian-oil-spat-with-ukraine/

⚡️Ukraine's energy situation likely to improve during next 3 months, official says. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-energy-situation-likely-to-improve/

⚡️Russia jails citizen over alleged sabotage plans https://kyivindependent.com/russian-sentenced-to-14-years-over-alleged-sabotage-plot-on-freedom-of-russia-legions-behalf/ on Freedom of Russia Legion's behalf.
A Russian military court sentenced a Krasnodar Krai resident to 14 years in prison for allegedly preparing to sabotage railway relay cabinets and for purported links with an anti-Kremlin militia, the court's service said on July 30.

⚡️ Ukraine's Naftogaz puts new high-rate gas well into operation.
Ukrgasvydobuvannya, Ukraine's largest gas producer and part of the state Naftogaz Group, put into operation a high-rate well that produces 274,000 cubic meters of gas per day, Naftogaz Group reported on July 3 https://kyivindependent.com/naftogaz-new-well/

https://kyivindependent.com/why-some-ukrainians-choose-to-ignore-air-raid-sirens/

⚡️ Clinic guard jailed for 4 years https://kyivindependent.com/security-guard-sentenced/ over locked shelter that led to deaths in Kyiv last year.

⚡️Moroccan man kidnapped, forced to transfer Bitcoin, then murdered in Kyiv, police say. https://kyivindependent.com/foreigner-kidnapped-forced-to-transfer-bitcoins-then-murdered-in-kyiv-police-say/

⚡️ Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 4, injure 14 https://kyivindependent.com/attacks-70/ over past day.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ - JUL 30, 2024
■ Engagements above 7-day average, casualties above 1k
■ Equipment losses slightly above average; tank & APV losses well above
■ 🇺🇦 strikes limited to concentrated areas of troops & equipment this time around

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

Curtis Buzzard has been offered the position of head of the command based in Wiesbaden, Germany, which is responsible for providing military aid to Ukraine, according to the official publication of the US Department of Defense, Stars and Stripes.
Buzzard, a graduate of the United States Military Academy, currently serves as commander of the United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Moore, Georgia. He will arrive in Wiesbaden during a transitional period for the aid mission to Ukraine.
At the NATO summit in Washington, Alliance countries agreed that the Security Assistance Group of Ukraine, led by the United States since 2022, will come under the bloc's control. The group is currently led by US Army Lt. Gen. Antonio Aguto Jr. In the future, NATO plans to take over the coordination and provision of most international security assistance. The mission, to be named "NATO — Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine," will be based in Wiesbaden and involve about 700 troops.
The new command is expected to be formed in a few weeks. The US Ground Forces in Europe and Africa have previously stated that SAG-U will continue to function. NATO's military headquarters did not immediately specify whether Buzzard would lead a separate alliance headquarters in Wiesbaden on a part-time basis.

The United States has agreed to equip the F-16 fighter jets being sent to Ukraine with advanced American-made missiles and other modern weaponry, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. Denmark and the Netherlands are preparing to deliver the first batch of these American-made F-16s to Ukraine this summer. Until recently, it was unclear where the critical weapons for these aircraft would come from.
Despite the Pentagon's limited stockpiles and production capabilities, it will supply the F-16s with air-to-ground munitions, precision bomb guidance kits, and advanced air-to-air missiles. This will be done in quantities sufficient to meet Ukraine's most pressing needs, according to a senior American official.

🇰🇵 Russian Invaders Deploy North Korean Bulsae-4 Anti-Tank Missile Complex
According to Militarnyy reports, Russian invaders have started using the North Korean long-range self-propelled anti-tank missile complex Bulsae-4 against Ukrainian Defense Forces. This advanced missile system can engage targets beyond the line of sight at a distance of more than 10 km.

Five Components for Ukraine's Strong Economic Recovery Plan
According to US State Department Special Representative Penny Pritzker, Ukraine needs five key components for a robust economic recovery plan:

1. Providing Support for Interagency Planning: Western technical experts can collaborate with Ukrainians to coordinate government actions and support the development of unified priority projects.
2. Acceleration of Reconstruction Projects: Speeding up the preparation of a list of reconstruction projects that are ready for implementation.
3. Acceleration of Reforms: Implementing reforms to establish a foundation for investments, foster a prosperous economy, and facilitate Ukraine's accession to the EU and NATO.
4. Attracting More Capital: Mobilizing global capital, including $50 billion of frozen Russian assets, and revitalizing the insurance, reinsurance, stock, and banking markets.
5. Returning and Reintegrating Veterans, IDPs, and Refugees: Bringing veterans, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and refugees back home, equipping them with the necessary skills for rebuilding Ukraine, and reintegrating them into the workforce.

Ukraine Needs to Boost Nuclear Energy Capacity, Says US Special Representative Penny Pritzker

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation has confirmed strikes on four traction power substations in the Kursk region. As a result, power outages have been recorded in the Ponyrovsky, Kursk, and Solntsevsky districts.

Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs will donate 100 drones to Ukraine. The funds for these drones were raised by the head of the department, who ran a half-marathon this spring to support the cause.

Macron Warns Iranian President Against Supporting Russia's War on Ukraine

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇺🇸In addition, the US Department of Defense announced the allocation of about 1.5 billion dollars under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which provides for the conclusion of long-term contracts with arms manufacturers. [not seen this said elsewhere]

The Russian Federation is increasingly hiring PR firms to create digital propaganda while covering its tracks. Some of the companies that created fake websites and social media profiles are already under US sanctions.
The disinformation focuses on presidential candidates, voting, and controversial issues such as immigration, crime, and the war in Gaza. The ultimate goal is to get Americans to spread fake news without questioning its origin. https://apnews.com/article/russia-trump-biden-harris-china-election-disinformation-54d7e44de370f016e87ab7df33fd11c8

884 medical facilities have been restored in Ukraine, including 523 in full and 361 in part
It is noted that most of the facilities have been restored in the Kharkiv, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Dnipro, and Chernihiv regions.
The ministry clarifies that over the two years of full-scale war in Ukraine, the enemy has damaged 1642 medical facilities and destroyed 214 more.

Russia has launched a public relations campaign to make the abduction of Ukrainian children by Russian occupiers habitual and “fashionable,” according to Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets.
Lubinets noted that the Ukrainian side began to receive information that representatives of the State Duma, the government, and regional leaders began to look for a Ukrainian child for so-called “adoption.”

Kherson region rescuers extinguished 25 fires over the day: 19 were caused by enemy shelling

Here's a link to the WSJ article mentioned in Duckling's news summary above.

U.S. to Arm Ukraine’s F-16 Jets With Advanced Weapons - The Biden administration says it will provide missiles and bombs for the American-made aircraft

From the article:

In Europe, many countries were reluctant to send large amounts of their limited inventory of air-launched munitions to Kyiv, so the allies came up with a solution that the Pentagon has dubbed “jumpstart.” European countries can pool their finances to buy air-launched weapons from the U.S. to send to Ukraine, the U.S. official said.

One challenge the Ukrainians will face is that the F16 requires a fairly long runway, free of any debris that could get sucked into the jet engines. The Russians have already started to attack the military airfields in Ukraine where they are likely to be based.

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-30-2024

Key Takeaways:

• Russian forces conducted five platoon- to battalion-sized mechanized assaults in western Donetsk Oblast on July 29 and 30. Such localized mechanized pushes are likely the manifestation of Russia's forecasted summer offensive—Russian forces likely lack the wider operational capacity to mount a separate renewed offensive operation in Donetsk Oblast or elsewhere on the front this summer.
• The Russian military command's willingness to accept costly armored vehicle losses without conducting a large-scale, multi-directional offensive operation or making operationally significant advances in western Donetsk Oblast will likely burden the Russian military in the long-term. The ongoing Russian offensive operations are also costly for Ukrainian defenders and are likely meant to degrade Ukrainian capabilities through attrition whether or not they gain much ground.
• North Korea may be expanding the volume and variety of weapons it is providing to Russia.
• The Kremlin is likely attempting to corral Russian information space actors onto social media sites that the Kremlin can more directly influence to directly control their rhetoric, prompting some backlash from Russian ultranationalist milbloggers and opposition journalists.
• Ukrainian forces struck a Russian oil depot in Vozy, Kursk Oblast on the night of July 29 to 30.
• The Russian government continues to support educational programs on "information and hybrid warfare" aimed at training Russians to conduct and counter information operations, use open-source research methodology, and to effectively analyze and counter hybrid threats for the Kremlin.
• Russian officials and Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) representatives are advocating for the Kremlin to codify a state ideology premised on the idea that the sovereign Ukrainian state should not exist, into Russian federal law.
• Russian forces recently advanced near Chasiv Yar and southwest of Donetsk City.
• Authorities in St. Petersburg have joined other Russian regional authorities in increasing financial incentives for recruits to sign military service contracts.
• UK newspaper The Times published a story on July 29 detailing how Russian authorities are indoctrinating deported Ukrainian children through military-patriotic education programs.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Ukraine signs two contracts with domestic defense industry worth $121 million Umerov says.
In a post on Facebook, Umerov described the two deals as "critically important for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-signs-two-contracts-with-domestic-defense-industry-worth-121-million/

⚡️Russia launches https://kyivindependent.com/russia-launches-strongest-drone-attack-of-2024-on-kyiv-overnight/ strongest drone attack of 2024 on Kyiv overnight.
The attack, which lasted over seven hours, saw drones entering Kyiv in waves from almost all directions.

⚡️Ukraine downs all 89 Russian drones launched in mass attack. kyivindependent.com/ukraine-downs-all-89-russian-drones/

⚡️Ukrainian Navy claims attack https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-navy-claims-attack-kursk/ on Russian weapons depot near Kursk, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on July 31.

⚡️Ukraine concluded 'one of the largest cyberattacks against Russia, source says.
Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) on July 30 finished a week-long massive cyberattack against Russia's financial institutions, telecommunications providers, and other targets, a source in the agency told the Kyiv Independent on July 31.
The wide-reaching DDoS campaign began on July 23 and disrupted the services of Russia's top banks, payment systems, social networks and messengers, government websites, and more. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-concluded-one-of-the-largest-cyberattacks-against-russia-source-says/

⚡️Moldovan parliament reportedly searched https://kyivindependent.com/moldovan-parliament-reportedly-searched/ in connection to Russian espionage investigation.

Americans are evenly divided on whether their country has a responsibility to aid Ukraine, with 48% saying it does and 49% it does not, according to a survey published by Pew Research on July 29. https://kyivindependent.com/americans-evenly-split-on-uss-responsibility-to-aid-ukraine/

⚡️Ukraine open to consultations with EU on Russian oil transit Foreign Ministry says. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-is-open-to-consultations-with-eu-on-transit-of-russian-lukoils-oil-foreign-ministry-says/

⚡️Ukraine needs to increase nuclear power capacity to overcome problems with electricity generation, US official says. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-needs-to-increase-nuclear-power-capacity-to-overcome-problems-with-electricity-generation-us-official-says/

⚡️2 bombers damaged in last week's attack on airfield in Russia's Murmansk Oblast, HUR says. https://kyivindependent.com/2-bombers-damaged-in-july-27-attack-on-airfield-in-russias-murmansk-oblast-hur-confirms/

Ukraine has the production capacity to produce more than 3 million drones a year, but requires financing from foreign partners, Deputy Strategic Industries Minister Hanna Hvozdiar said on July 30. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-has-capacity-to-produce-3-million-drones-a-year/

Ukraine businesses furious over government-proposed tax hikes
Business and government in Ukraine are publicly slamming one another over a proposed tax hike Kyiv says is necessary to fund its fight against Russia. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-businesses-furious-over-government-proposed-tax-hikes/

⚡️Russia passes new cryptocurrency law in effort to dodge Western sanctions
The new law will go into force in September, Reuters reports, but will not affect an existing ban on cryptocurrencies being used for transactions inside Russia. https://kyivindependent.com/russia-passes-new-cryptocurrency-law-in-effort-to-dodge-western-sanctions/

⚡️ Putin more than doubles lump-sum payment for joining war against Ukraine.
On July 31 he ordered an increase in the sign-on bonus for new military recruits to serve in Ukraine to 400,000 rubles (over $4,600). https://kyivindependent.com/putin-more-than-doubles-lump-sum-payment-for-going-to-war-in-ukraine/

Esper Bionics, a U.S.-Ukraine startup, produces a robotic prosthetic currently being used by over 30 Ukrainian soldiers serving in Russia’s war. Another 80 veterans in Ukraine have also received an Esper bionic arm. https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-startup-esper-bionics-makes-cyborgs-a-reality/

MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak: Developments in Ukraine’s parliament on economic reforms, international obligations — Issue 66 https://kyivindependent.com/mp-yaroslav-zhelezniak-developments-in-ukraines-parliament-on-economic-reforms-international-obligations-issue-66/

⚡️US official tasked with imposing Russian sanctions to join Harris campaign as first major hire, Axios reports.
Brian Nelson, the U.S. Treasury Department's lead official tasked with imposing and enforcing sanctions against Russia, is preparing to leave the Biden administration to join Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, Axios reported on July 30. https://kyivindependent.com/us-official-tasked-with-imposing-russian-sanctions-to-join-harris-campaign-as-first-major-hire-axios-reports/

⚡️ Gazprom net losses nearly double https://kyivindependent.com/gazprom-net-losses-nearly-double-year-on-year/ year on year. Losses in the first half of 2024 totalled 480.64 billion rubles ($5.5 billion), while those in the first half of 2023 totalled 255 billion rubles ($2.95 billion), according to Gazprom financial statements seen by the outlet.

⚡️Lukashenko pardons https://kyivindependent.com/lukashenko-pardons-german-citizen-sentenced-to-death-by-firing-squad-for-terrorism/ German citizen sentenced to death by firing squad for 'terrorism.'

Opinion: Is momentum building for peace talks https://kyivindependent.com/opinion-is-momentum-building-for-peace-talks/

⚡️ Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 2, injure 9 https://kyivindependent.com/attacks-71/ over past day.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦- JUL 31, 2024
■ Record month for engagements & equipment, 2nd highest in casualties
■ 2nd biggest month for 🇷🇺 MLRS strikes, 5th in air strikes
■ Unfavorable strike ratio but 🇺🇦 continues to hit important targets

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

The Russian forces launched a second massive assault with 57 units of armored vehicles in an attempt to break through the defense lines of the Taurian paratroopers in the Kurakhiv direction. Despite the intensity of the offensive, the Ukrainian paratroopers successfully repelled the attack, causing the assault to fail once again.

🇮🇳 India Offers to Mediate in Ukraine-Russia Conflict Resolution
Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs Subramanyam Jaishankar has expressed India's willingness to assist in resolving the conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Jaishankar believes that "the solution to the problem will not come on the battlefield" and that world leaders should work towards facilitating early peace talks between the two nations.

Donald Trump, if re-elected as US president, might insist on Ukraine's refusal to join NATO, according to the Financial Times. JD Vance, the Republican vice-presidential candidate, has supported the idea of a neutral Ukraine, suggesting this approach could guarantee both Kyiv's independence and its neutrality. Vance mentioned in an interview with the New York Times in June that neutrality is a significant concern for Russia. [Because Ukrainian neutrality and independence has never been tried before, and no way would Russia ever do anything but respect it]

Hungary Vetoes EU Joint Statement on Venezuelan Election Irregularities
According to Politico, Hungary has vetoed a European Union joint statement addressing flaws and irregularities in Venezuela's presidential election. Two officials familiar with the discussions reported that EU countries intended to express their concerns over the election results in a joint statement on Monday, but Hungary's position blocked this effort.

A significant fire has broken out at one of the buildings of the NPO Avtomatika plant in Yekaterinburg, a facility that plays a crucial role in the Russian defense industry. The blaze has already engulfed approximately 1000 square meters and continues to spread rapidly. Emergency services are currently on the scene attempting to control the fire.
NPO Avtomatika is known for producing both civilian and military products. Its civilian portfolio includes control systems for Soyuz-2 launch vehicles, while its military production encompasses communications and control equipment for the Russian armed forces. Due to its involvement in the defense sector, the plant was subjected to US sanctions in 2022.

Tonight, the enemy's oil depot "Logistics Center No. 43" in the village of Vozy in Kurshchyna was successfully targeted, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Intelligence reports indicate that a fire broke out at the facility following the attack, and the extent of the damage is currently being assessed.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

🇺🇸 The United States is considering expanding training for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.
The United States is exploring whether it can expand training at an already-used facility in Arizona or allow Ukrainian pilots to use another U.S. air base.

“It's like Hiroshima here”. The defenders of the Ukrainian city of Toretsk, Donetsk region, told how the Russians are burning it with KABs.
Toretsk is an important logistical interchange that leads to Konstantinovka. That's why the Russians are turning the once quiet mining town into ashes.
“The occupiers are wiping out the city,” says the fighter, ”Otherwise they won't be able to come here. It's easier for them to lay down block by block, like in Stalingrad.

💡Ukrenergo said that the next three months for Ukraine may pass with minimal power outages if there is no new shelling.

A prisoner of war from the Azov brigade, Oleksandr Ishchenko, died in a Russian detention center, the Russian media outlet Mediaphone reported. The causes and circumstances of the death are currently unknown.

Ukrainian sky in “Shaheds” at night during the Russian attack.

Donald Trump, if re-elected as US president, might insist on Ukraine's refusal to join NATO, according to the Financial Times. JD Vance, the Republican vice-presidential candidate, has supported the idea of a neutral Ukraine, suggesting this approach could guarantee both Kyiv's independence and its neutrality. Vance mentioned in an interview with the New York Times in June that neutrality is a significant concern for Russia. [Because Ukrainian neutrality and independence has never been tried before, and no way would Russia ever do anything but respect it]

Vance is a dangerous idiot who hasn't got a fucking clue.

This is very sparse on details, but it's been reported that the first F16s have arrived in Ukraine.

Ukraine Receives First F-16 Fighter Jets to Bolster Defenses Against Russia, a US Official Tells AP - Ukraine has received the first F-16 fighter jets that it has sought for months to fight back against an onslaught of Russian missile strikes, a U.S. official confirmed to the Associated Press

I wish they'd try. Nothing dispels isolationist sentiment in the US quite like an actual declaration of war against them - even after Pearl Harbour the US didn't declare war against Germany until the Germans declared war on the US several days later.

Oho!

I think the US did declare war against Japan, which had actually been responsible for the attack on Pearl Harbour (at 8am on 7th December 1941), fairly swiftly.

In response to Japan first attacking them without defiance given, and then declaring war on them later the same day, the US congress declared war on Japan on 8th December. When Germany and Italy declared war on the US three days later, on 11th, the US immediately reciprocated.

Perhaps congress (and Roosevelt) simply didn't want to be seen as attackers rather than attacked in the cases of Germany and Italy?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c29d6k382k5o

Such incredible news ❤️ their families will be delighted to have them home!

I almost don’t care who they’re being swapped for, there are so many evil individuals in the Russian establishment that it doesn’t really matter.

Oh how wonderful for them, and the others that have been released

Not Ukraine related but thought you’d appreciate. MTG is next level batshit, at the very least she watched a different interview to me https://x.com/MTGrepp/status/1818716238237122731

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

[Huge Russian losses yesterday. Nearly 1400 troops, 77 ! vehicles, 42 APVs, 33 artillery and 115 UAVs]

⚡️BREAKING: First F-16 fighter jets arrive in Ukraine, Bloomberg reports. https://kyivindependent.com/breaking-first-f-16s-fighter-jets-arrive-in-ukraine/
Ukraine has received the first batch of fourth-generation U.S.-made F-16 jets, Bloomberg reported on July 31, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian air defense downed all 89 Shahed-type attack drones launched by Russia in a mass attack overnight, as well as one Kh-59 missile, the Ukrainian Air Force reported on July 31.

⚡️Turkey confirms https://kyivindependent.com/russia-releases-us-reporter-gershkovich/ prisoner exchange between Russia, West.
Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MİT) confirmed on Aug. 1 that 26 prisoners had been exchanged by Russia and the West. The exchange was carried out in Ankara.

⚡️ Russia frees US reporter Gershkovich, ex-Marine Whelan in prisoner swap, Bloomberg reports. https://kyivindependent.com/russia-releases-us-reporter-gershkovich/ [And Vladimir Kara-Murza!]

The first batch of F-16 fighter jets Ukraine received encompassed six planes provided by the Netherlands, The Times reported on July 31, citing an undisclosed source. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-received-6-f-16s-from-netherlands-the-times-reports/

⚡️Russia must be present at next peace summit to end war, Zelensky says https://kyivindependent.com/most-countries-want-russia-to-be-at-2nd-peace-summit-ukraine/

⚡️ Ukraine, World Bank sign agreement for US grant of $3.9 billion https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-signs-financial-agreement/

⚡️Russia used https://kyivindependent.com/russia-used-in-resent-attack-kyiv-says/ new 'distracting' drone type designed to probe air defenses rather than destroy targets in its mass attack on Ukraine on July 31, said Andrii Yusov, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) spokesperson.

⚡️China expands military drone export restrictions following FM Kuleba visit. https://kyivindependent.com/china-expands-military-drone-export-restrictions-following-fm-kuleba-visit/
China adjusted its export controls on military drones amid growing criticism from the U.S. and its allies over support for Russia's war efforts in Ukraine.
On July 31, a range of agencies, including the Central Military Commission, added drones with high-precision measurement equipment to a blacklist.

⚡️Georgia's foreign agent law comes into effect https://kyivindependent.com/georgias-foreign-agent-law-comes-into-effect/
Georgia's controversial foreign agents law came into effect on Aug. 1, giving organizations that receive foreign funding one month to register with the Justice Ministry.

⚡️Russian soldiers depart https://kyivindependent.com/russian-soldiers-depart-yerevan-airport-ending-32-year-presence/ Yerevan airport, ending 32-year presence.

⚡️ Head of Russia's military supplier company detained as corruption cases mount.
Vladimir Pavlov, the head of the Russian military's clothing and food supplier Voentorg, was detained on fraud charges, law enforcement officials reported on Aug. 1. https://kyivindependent.com/voentorg-head-detained/

⚡️Romania discovers more drone debris after Russia's earlier attacks on Ukraine. https://kyivindependent.com/romania-finds-drone-debris/

⚡️At least 5 kamikaze drones entered Belarus airspace in latest Russian attack on Ukraine. https://kyivindependent.com/at-least-5-russian-kamikaze-drones-enter-belarusian-airspace-one-flying-260-km/

⚡️ Russian oppositionist Ponomarev https://kyivindependent.com/russian-oppositionist-ponomarev-injured-in-drone-attack-on-kyiv-outskirts/ reportedly injured in drone attack near Kyiv.
A Russian kamikaze drone struck the house of a former Russian lawmaker, Ilya Ponomarev, in Kyiv's outskirts overnight on Aug. 1, injuring the anti-Kremlin politician, Ukrainian media reported, citing sources.

⚡️Widespread YouTube https://kyivindependent.com/widespread-youtube-outages-recorded-in-russia/ outages recorded in Russia.
The news comes days after a Russian lawmaker warned that the government would deliberately slow down YouTube loading speeds in response to Google's refusal to comply with Russian authorities' demands

⚡️Andrii Derkach, a fugitive ex-member of Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada, may be nominated for the Russian Federation Council, the upper house of Russia's parliament, state news agency RIA Novosti reported on July 31. https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-wanted-ex-lawmaker-became-candidate-for-russian-federation-council-media-says/

How a noisy chihuahua helped build multimillion-dollar Ukraine-born pet tech company Petcube https://kyivindependent.com/how-a-noisy-chihuahua-helped-build-a-multimillion-dollar-ukraine-born-pet-company/

⚡️ Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 4, injure 27 https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-across-ukraine-kill-4-injure-26-over-past-day/ over past day, hit railroad station.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦- AUG 1, 2024
■ Rise in engagements & most casualties since end of May
■ Special equipment, APV & vehicle losses well above 7-day avg
■ Record drone losses (previous: Nov 26, 2023)
■ Close to 30 🇺🇦 strikes reported; best daily ratio in weeks