Russo-Ukrainian War, Day 868: F-16s on their way to Ukraine, Blinken says at NATO summit

Exclusive

The Putin-Kim pact is an opportunity for the WestThe Russian-North Korean defense pact leaves no doubt about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s determination to overturn the existing international order. But the agreement could also strain the Kremlin’s relations with China and potentially disrupt Sino-Russian efforts to undermine Western unity.

Military

Ukraine investigates execution of prisoners of war by Russian forces near RobotyneThe video surfaced on July 10, but the exact date of the incident is unknown.

Russia loses 90% of its attack troops in Kharkiv, Ukrainian commander reportsThe Russian offensive began on May 10, but failed to achieve any of its objectives.

Russian missile attack on Voznesensk leaves one dead, injures the mayor and seven othersThe Russian attack targeted a civilian site, but specific details were not disclosed.

Ukrainian boy in intensive care dies after Russian missile attack on Kyiv hospital on July 8After the attack, he was taken to another hospital in Kyiv, where he later died.

Russian drone attack on port infrastructure in Odessa Oblast kills two men, one injuredThe Ukrainian Air Force reports that it shot down 14 Shahed drones over eight regions during a night of intense Russian attacks on July 10.

Selenskyj: Russian attacks on July 8 left 43 dead. Ukrainian officials report the completion of rescue operations in Kyiv following a devastating Russian missile attack that left dozens dead and more than a hundred injured.

Away 09 July 2024the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian armed forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:

• • • Staff: 553410 (+1220)
    • Tanks: 8178 (+7)
    • APV: 15704 (+19)
    • Artillery systems: 15015 (+49)
    • MLRS: 1115
    • Air defence systems: 880
    • Aircraft: 361
    • Helicopters: 326
    • Drone: 11922 (+29)
    • Cruise missiles: 2389 (+36)
    • Warships/Boats: 28
    • Submarines: 1
    • Vehicles and fuel tanks: 20212 (+62)

Intelligence and technology

Blinken: F-16 on its way to UkraineUkraine’s long-awaited F-16 fighter jets come from Denmark and the Netherlands.

F-16 on its way to Ukraine: Netherlands provides 300 million euros for important ammunitionThis amount is in addition to the EUR 150 million already made available for this purpose.

“Even 50 is nothing” – Selensky says Ukraine needs 128 F-16 jetsUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has requested 128 F-16 fighter jets to counter Russia’s daily deployment of 300 aircraft against Ukraine.

British Prime Minister: Ukraine can attack Russia with British Storm Shadow missilesAt his first NATO summit as prime minister, Keir Starmer reiterated Britain’s support for Ukraine’s defence operations, including possible attacks inside Russia.

Strikes in Ukraine affect Russian oil refineries by almost 17%Ukraine’s use of various types of weapons to penetrate deep into Russian territory is having a significant impact on Russian energy exports, a senior NATO official said.

US Department of Justice uncovers Russian AI-powered disinformation network on X. US authorities have seized domain names and raided nearly 1,000 X-accounts linked to a sophisticated Russian disinformation operation.

Biden announces five strategic air defense systems from partner countries for UkraineIn response to recent Russian missile attacks, the United States, Germany, Romania, the Netherlands and Italy are joining forces to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses with strategic systems and interceptor missiles.

International

Poland will not intercept Russian missiles over Ukraine despite security pactA security agreement between Ukraine and Poland signed in Warsaw on July 8 provides, among other things, for Poland to intercept Russian missiles and drones over Ukraine.

Politico: Hungary’s EU Council presidency in danger after visits to Moscow and BeijingAnonymous EU diplomats told Politico that there was “very clear political disapproval” of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s recent trips to Moscow and Beijing, and that discussions were ongoing about how the EU should respond.

New Zealand provides $9.8 million in aid to Ukraine. New Zealand’s recent $9.8 million aid package to Ukraine includes funding for drones and military medical supplies.

Humanitarian and social impacts

8 Ukrainian children returning from Russian occupation report beatings and threatsThe charity Save Ukraine managed to return eight Ukrainian children aged 7 to 17 and their families from the Russian-occupied Kherson and Donetsk oblasts to Ukraine.

Ukrainian diplomat in the UN Security Council: “Russia is killing children it cannot abduct and brainwash”Ukraine’s UN representative Sergiy Kyslytsya drew attention to Russia’s systematic crackdown on Ukrainian children, ranging from the illegal deportation of minors from the occupied territories of Ukraine to Russia to the recent deadly attack on the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv.

Political and legal developments

Russia serves chicken from Kiev at UN lunch after rocket attack on Ukrainian children’s hospitalThe court recalls President Bush’s 1991 “Chicken Kiev” speech, in which he warned against “suicidal nationalism” shortly before Ukraine’s independence.

Selenskyj: Putin used the six-month delay in US aid to attack Kharkiv, but the Russian offensive still failedUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the six-month delay of a $61 billion US aid package allowed the Russians to launch the offensive in Kharkiv, but the eventual approval of the aid and the “courage of Ukrainian soldiers” led to a successful defense.

Read our previous daily review here.