Russo-Ukrainian War, Day 881: Ukrainian special forces liberate Starytsia in Kharkiv Oblast and threaten Russian supply lines.

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Military

Investigation: Russian military expands logistics capacity with new base near RostovSatellite images show that the size of a new Russian military base in Novocherkassk, capable of supporting front-line operations in Ukraine, has tripled since August 2023.

Ukrainian military seriously damages Russian ferry “Slavjanin” in the port of Caucasus. Ukrainian forces have dealt a severe blow to Russian military logistics by damaging the last railway ferry at a key port.

ISW: Russian troops advance in several directions and achieve success near Niu York, Donetsk OblastThe Institute for War Research reports that Russian forces have conducted successful operations on several fronts in eastern Ukraine, including advances near Avdiivka and west of the city of Donetsk.

Belarusian special forces present captured Ukrainian armored vehicle type Kosak-5The Belarusian special forces unit Vityaz demonstrates the use of a captured Ukrainian Kozak-5 armored vehicle. It is speculated that the vehicle was acquired as a result of the Russian withdrawal from Kyiv Oblast or as a result of the reorganization of the Wagner PMC.

Drones hit Russian military unit and railway ferry used to supply materials to occupied CrimeaUkrainian forces reportedly attacked occupied Sevastopol, the Russian port of Caucasus and Belgorod Oblast with drones, hitting a Russian military unit in Sevastopol, a ferry in the port of Caucasus and possibly a car in Belgorod.

Front report: Ukrainian special forces liberate Kharkiv Starytsia and threaten Russian supply lines north of Vovchansk. The Ukrainian Shaman Battalion liberates Starytsia in Kharkiv Oblast, taking advantage of weak Russian defenses and forest cover, compromising Russian supply lines to Vovchansk and possibly requiring troop redeployments.

As of 23 July 2024the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian armed forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:

• Personnel: 568980 (+1220)
• Tanks: 8288 (+4)
• APV: 16000 (+20)
• Artillery systems: 15694 (+57)
• MLRS: 1125 (+2)
• Air defence systems: 901 (+1)
• Aircraft: 362
• Helicopters: 326
• Drone: 12511 (+36)
• Cruise missiles: 2401
• Warships/Boats: 28
• Submarines: 1
• Vehicles and fuel tanks: 21202 (+64)

Intelligence and technology

Selenskyj: Ukraine is close to being able to deploy its own missiles. Ukraine’s innovative use of drones is proving to be a turning point in its defense strategy, according to President Zelenskyj

Mayor of Kharkiv: 1-2 Patriots will not solve Kharkiv’s problems, comprehensive air defense is neededDespite severe damage to the energy infrastructure, Kharkiv is relying on decentralized heating solutions to prepare for the coming winter, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov.

Drone coalition for Ukraine grows to 16 members with Czech accession. Czech Republic becomes 16th member of the international drone coalition for Ukraine led by Latvia and Great Britain. Memorandum signed during NATO summit on the 75th anniversary in Washington.

Despite official stance, Slovakia is increasing its ammunition production and thereby indirectly helping UkraineSlovakia is increasing its ammunition production, thereby indirectly helping Ukraine, while officially opposing military support and aiming for economic growth through the arms industry.

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.

International

EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels, not Budapest, due to diplomatic dispute over UkraineEU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced a change of venue for an upcoming ministerial meeting, citing Hungary’s controversial solo diplomatic move on Ukraine.

Hungary again blocked EU funds for military aid to Ukraine . EU foreign ministers failed to agree on releasing crucial funds for Ukraine at their meeting in Brussels on 22 July. EU High Representative Josep Borrell expressed his frustration at the ongoing blockade of military aid to Ukraine by a single member state, referring to Hungary without mentioning it directly by name.

Latvian Foreign Minister Braže calls for immediate lifting of restrictions on Ukrainian attacks on Russian territoryThe minister also stressed how important further aid is for the war-torn country.

EU politician Borrell: Next peace summit in autumn could include Russia, but not on “Putin’s basis”EU High Representative Josep Borrell also stressed the importance of countering Russian propaganda at the international level, recalling that Russia is the aggressor and Ukraine is defending itself.

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.

Humanitarian and social impacts

Survey: Number of Ukrainians open to territorial concessions increases, but majority still againstA recent KIIS poll shows a gradual but significant shift in Ukrainian public opinion, with the share of those open to land concessions increasing from a constant 8–10% in 2022–2023 to 32% in 2024. However, 55% of respondents remain strongly opposed to any territorial cessions to Russia.

OSCE report describes escalation of Russian attacks on Ukrainian civiliansAt least 146 civilians were killed in Ukraine in June, the second-highest monthly death toll in 2024, according to the latest UN figures.

Russian occupiers have been destroying thousands of medical facilities in Ukraine since 2022The Ministry of Health reports that 523 facilities have been fully restored. Significant progress has been reported in the Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kyiv, Kharkiv and Chernihiv regions.

Critical infrastructure of the municipality of Shostka hit in Russian airstrike on Sumy Oblast. Russian forces launched airstrikes on Sumy Oblast in northeastern Ukraine overnight, targeting key infrastructure; Ukrainian air defense intercepted most of the drones and one missile; no casualties were reported.

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