Russian-Ukrainian War, Day 880: China invites Ukrainian Foreign Minister to peace talks and official Ukrainian comments on Johnson’s “peace plan”

Military

Drones attack Russian air base Morozovsk (video). Suicide drones attacked the Morozovsk military airport in Russia’s Rostov Oblast, causing violent explosions and fires.

Syrskyi: Russian troops push towards Pokrovsk despite heavy losses. The commander-in-chief of Ukraine reports heavy fighting on the Eastern Front. Russian troops continue to advance towards Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast despite heavy losses. Heavy fighting is taking place in several places while the Russians try to take up strategic positions.

Front report: Ukrainian forces quell Russian advance in Donetsk’s New York with MaxxPro raid. The Ukrainian military is thwarting the Russian offensive in the Donetsk New York, using drones, strategic hilltop positions and urban warfare tactics to push back enemy forces. The Russians face heavy casualties and logistical challenges. Ukraine is strengthening its capabilities while Russia is depleting its resources in several grueling offensives.

As of July 22 2024the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian armed forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:

• Personnel: 567760 (+1050)
• Tanks: 8284 (+18)
• APV: 15980 (+17)
• Artillery systems: 15637 (+51)
• MLRS: 1123 (+2)
• Air defense systems: 900 (+4)
• Aircraft: 362
• Helicopters: 326
• UAVs: 12475 (+73)
• Cruise missiles: 2401
• Warships/Boats: 28
• Submarines: 1
• Vehicles and fuel tanks: 21138 (+102)

Intelligence and technology

Boeing and Antonov sign agreement to strengthen Ukraine’s drone capabilitiesA recently signed agreement between Boeing and Antonov includes possible joint efforts in training, logistics and maintenance of drones, including systems such as the ScanEagle, which will be transferred to Ukraine.

Drones attack Russian oil refinery in TuapseAccording to media reports, Ukrainian intelligence launched a drone attack on the Tuapse oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region, causing explosions and fires. Russian authorities claim their air defenses intercepted several drones. The refinery is one of Russia’s oldest and largest oil processing facilities.

Ukraine approves a new Kozak-5MED armored medical vehicle for its armed forcesThe “Kozak-5MED” is based on the chassis of a heavy American pickup truck, the Ford F-550.

For Ukraine, the F-16 is not a panacea, but will mark a shift toward Western tactics, says NATO air force commander. F-16s will begin Ukraine’s transition to Western military equipment and tactics, says General Hecker, emphasizing a gradual process, not immediate air superiority. Challenges include logistics, airfield adaptations and replicating current agile operations.

Reuters: Decades of Western neglect led to crisis in Ukrainian armed forces over 155mm shellsA Reuters investigation reveals how years of miscalculations and failures in US and NATO ammunition production led to a critical shortage of 155mm artillery shells, undermining Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian forces.

Analysis shows: North Korean KN-23 missiles have Russian fingerprints everywhereResearchers identify Russian steel alloys and structural elements in North Korean KN-23 missiles, providing evidence of Moscow’s support for Pyongyang’s weapons development.

International

Bulgaria donates surplus military equipment to Ukraine, says Defense Minister. Bulgarian Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov announced plans to supply surplus military equipment and ammunition to Ukraine after thoroughly examining Bulgarian military resources and finding surplus equipment that could be donated to Ukraine without compromising national security.

Poland argues for Ukraine’s right to attack Russia with long-range weaponsPolish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski argued that Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons for defense was legally justified and morally necessary, citing the July 8 attack on the Okhmatdyt Children’s Oncology Hospital in Kyiv.

“Johnson is acting in Ukraine’s best interests,” says Ukrainian official on Johnson-Trump meetingUkraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said Johnson’s actions were solely on his own initiative and that he was well informed about the attitude of President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people to the war.

China invites Ukrainian Foreign Minister to talks on “achieving peace” with RussiaThe focus of the visit will be on “ways to stop Russian aggression” and China’s possible role in creating a “stable and just peace”.

Czech initiative plans to deliver 100,000 artillery shells to Ukraine by the end of summerThe Czech Foreign Minister announced that as part of a Czech-led initiative involving 18 countries, 15 of which are participating, 100,000 artillery shells will be delivered to Ukraine in July and August, and the number is expected to rise to 500,000 by the end of the year.

Third Patriot system from Germany arrives in Ukraine as Russia intensifies its shellingAs Russian forces continue to attack civilian areas and energy infrastructure in Ukraine, President Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to Germany and the United States for providing the country with another Patriot air defense system.

Humanitarian and social impacts

Russian artillery fires steel arrows at Ukrainian schoolThe artillery shells, which contained up to 9,000 small, sharp arrows, were “designed to cause the greatest possible harm to people”

Ministry of Defense: More and more women are joining the Ukrainian armed forcesOleksiy Bezhevets said that 17-20% of all requests to recruitment centers were from women, highlighting the increasing participation of women in Ukraine’s defense efforts.

Political and legal developments

EU extends economic sanctions against Russia for another six monthsThe EU Council extends economic sanctions against Russia until January 2025, maintaining measures introduced since 2014 and expanded in 2022. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the sanctions target various sectors, including trade, finance and technology.

Suspected Russian saboteur faces life imprisonment for railway plot in KievThe Ukrainian secret service SBU and the National Police have arrested a suspected Russian saboteur in Kyiv. The local resident allegedly planned arson attacks on strategic facilities of the Ukrainian railway in order to disrupt the logistics of the defense forces.

New developments

Politico: NATO general praises Ukraine’s military strategy despite setbacks on the frontDespite the pressure on the front lines, Ukraine’s overall military strategy is effective, said NATO General Christopher Cavoli, who stressed the importance of troop buildup and training.

Ukraine increases defense budget by billions of dollarsTo strengthen the defense sector, the Ukrainian government has allocated an additional $12 billion, with a focus on new weapons, military salaries and infrastructure.

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