News and information from Ukraine

Reports from Ukraine. Day 881.

Russia shelled the city of Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in southeastern Ukraine with artillery weapons. on 22 July said regional governor Serhii LysakThe resulting fire injured at least five civilians, one of whom had to be hospitalized. The shock wave from the attack damaged several five-story residential buildings, civilian vehicles, a local bread stall and other private establishments.

On July 21, a Russian drone hit a combine harvester in the northeastern Sumy Oblast, killing its operator.The The regional prosecutor saidThe afternoon raid, using a remote-controlled First Person View (FPV) drone, took place during the busy harvest season. The attack not only killed the 37-year-old farmer, but also injured his 59-year-old assistant. The public prosecutor’s office said it was investigating this attack on unarmed civilians as a war crime.

In the southern Kherson region, two civilians were killed in heavy shelling of the Kremlin on Saturday, July 20. the town of Bilozirka and injured more than a dozen other people. Russian forces terrorized the settlement by attacking a densely populated residential area with multiple rocket launchers (MLRS). “About 40 shells were fired in the direction of Bilozirka,” the National Police of Ukraine said. said on social mediaThe victims were two women aged 54 and 72, while about 12 others were injured, including a medical worker. The youngest victim was just 39 years old, the oldest 80.

Also on the morning of July 20, Russian forces launched drones at the city of Kherson, injuring a 59-year-old man.and then repeatedly fired at the ambulance that had arrived to provide assistance. “A Russian drone dropped explosives on the ambulance, causing significant damage to the vehicle,” said a national police spokesman. “A paramedic and the driver were injured in the explosion and suffered traumatic brain injuries.”

The United Kingdom will provide up to two billion pounds ($2.6 billion) in loan support for Ukrainian defense projects, according to a bilateral agreement signed on June 19. The agreement allows UK-based suppliers to conclude loan agreements with the state of Ukraine totaling up to two billion pounds (with the option of a subsequent increase). It was signed in London during the official visit of President Volodymyr Zelensky and his team to representatives of the new British government. The agreement, signed by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and his counterpart John Healey, aims to provide financial support for strengthening the country’s defense capabilities, including through the procurement of modern weapons and equipment in line with NATO standards. “Under the terms of the framework agreement, the loan will be used for large-scale projects to develop Ukraine’s defense, which will certainly ease the burden on the state budget and allow us to acquire the necessary weapons to protect our country in the short term,” Umerov said. Ukraine’s Defense Ministry predicts that by 2026, its armed forces will be adequately equipped with new air defense systems, radar and strike capabilities, and other tools, partly as a result of the brokered agreement.

Latvia sent another 500 drones to Ukraine, said Defense Minister Adris Spruds announced via X (formerly Twitter) on July 22nd. Latvia is making this delivery as part of the so-called “Drone Coalition”, an initiative of Ukraine’s international allies aimed at acquiring and delivering weapons for Ukraine’s defense against the Russian invasion. In early July, the Latvian Ministry of Defense announced that 2,500 combat drones, valued at four million euros ($4.4 million), were being prepared for imminent delivery to Ukraine. The first approved shipment came a few days after the initial announcement; the last, consisting of 500 drones, was sent on July 22. “The drone coalition is gaining momentum,” Spruds said. “We are continuously working to deliver drones to Ukraine in line with the current needs and testing requirements of the Ukrainian army. At the same time, significant investments are being made in the further development and implementation of drone technologies,” he continued.

By Daria Dzysiuk, Karina Tahiliani