Russo-Ukrainian War, Day 874: Czech Republic produces ammunition and rifles for Ukraine

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Military

Front report: Russian forces launch massive three-pronged attack near Novomykhailivka. A domestically developed Ukrainian Shark drone, operating at its maximum range of 80 km, detected two Russian TOR-M1 air defense systems and helped destroy them.

Front report: Gravel works becomes the focal point of the battle for VovchanskThe heavily fortified aggregates plant, currently held by besieged Russian forces, represents a key strategic objective for both sides in the battle for control of North Vovchansk.

Russian attack on residential building in Myrnohrad, Donetsk Oblast, kills three. Emergency services in Donetsk region have completed a 36-hour rescue operation following a Russian attack on Myrnohrad, recovering the bodies of three victims from the rubble of a residential building.

Governor of Kursk claims responsibility for Ukrainian attack on industrial plant during night. Local authorities say a fire at a Russian low-voltage equipment plant was caused by a Ukrainian drone attack. A 400-square-meter fire engulfs a factory in Korenevo.

Away July 16, 2024the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian armed forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:

• Personnel: 561400 (+1110)
• Tanks: 8227 (+13)
• APV: 15862 (+36)
• Artillery systems: 15368 (+44)
• MLRS: 1119
• Air defence systems: 892
• Aircraft: 361
• Helicopters: 326
• Drone: 12193 (+45)
• Cruise missiles: 2398
• Warships/Boats: 28
• Submarines: 1
• Vehicles and fuel tanks: 20680 (+57)

Intelligence and technology

USA hands over GCS-100 mine clearance vehicles to UkraineUkraine has received trailers, mobile service stations and JCB excavators to support its mine clearance efforts. Ukraine and Czech Republic sign arms production agreement in PragueUkrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Czech politicians have signed agreements to build a new cartridge factory and produce assault rifles in Ukraine, a significant step in defense cooperation.

Russian company offers $170,000 bounty for destruction of first F-16 in Ukraine. As Ukraine expects the arrival of 24 F-16 fighter jets from its Western allies this summer, a Russian supplier of oil rig support equipment responded by offering 15 million rubles for the first destroyed F-16 fighter jet in Ukraine in an effort to motivate Russian soldiers.

Forbes: Ukraine’s largest hydroelectric power plant needs at least three years to restore after Russian attacksThe Russian attack on Ukraine’s largest hydroelectric power plant, Dnipro, brought electricity production to a standstill and the plant’s strategic location, just 50 kilometers from the front line, made it an easy target for Russian forces. Selenskyj: Ukraine develops its own long-range weapons despite hesitant Western approval for a deep strike against RussiaPresident Volodymyr Zelensky said long-range weapons attacks inside Russia were still an “unpopular decision” among allies, which is why Ukraine was strengthening its own deep-strike capabilities.

Pentagon: US limits Ukraine’s attack range to prevent larger conflictThe Pentagon defended its policy of not allowing Ukraine to launch long-range attacks on Russia, citing fears of an unintended escalation.

International

EU: Russia must admit responsibility for MH17 tragedyAhead of the 10th anniversary of the MH17 disaster, the EU has again called on Russia to take responsibility for the missile attack that killed 298 passengers and crew over Donbass.

Politico: Orbán’s ‘peace mission’ backfires, triggering calls for suspension of Hungarian EU electoral lawIn a letter to senior EU officials, 63 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) criticised Viktor Orbán’s diplomatic overtures to Russia and China and called for the suspension of Hungary’s voting rights in the Council, as “mere verbal condemnations have no effect”.

Ukraine and Moldova coordinate EU accession strategies in KyivUkraine and Moldova have aligned their strategies and expectations regarding EU accession negotiations – a significant step in their efforts towards European integration.

American Caterpillar machines will continue to be delivered to Russia via a British dealer – The InsiderDespite Caterpillar’s announced withdrawal from Russia, its machines, worth millions of dollars, still enter the country through a complex international network.

Lithuanian energy company hands over equipment from Vilnius thermal power plant to UkraineLithuanian energy company Ignitis Gamyba will deliver over 300 pieces of critical equipment from a decommissioned power plant to Ukraine on July 15.

EU Commission restricts participation in Hungarian Presidency events after Orbán’s visits to Russia and ChinaCommission President Ursula von der Leyen decided to limit the European Commission’s participation in events during the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU in response to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s self-proclaimed ‘peace mission’ in Kyiv, Moscow and Beijing.

European states unite to fight Russia’s sanctions-evading oil fleet – BloombergBritain and several European countries want to launch a coordinated action against the Russian “shadow fleet” of oil tankers in order to tighten sanctions enforcement.

Indian authorities dissatisfied with Zelensky’s comments on Modi-Putin meeting. India’s Foreign Ministry has summoned Ukraine’s ambassador to address concerns over President Volodymyr Zelensky’s public criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Russia, which coincided with a deadly Russian attack on a children’s hospital in Kyiv.

Media: Trump nominates JD Vance, one of the critics of US aid to Ukraine, as his vice presidential candidate for 2024Vance opposes military aid to Ukraine and supports the cession of Ukrainian territory to Russia in the interests of peace.

Political and legal developments

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba: Permission to attack military targets in Russia would weaken air terrorismReferring to recent Russian attacks on civilian targets such as the Ochmatdyt Children’s Hospital, Kuleba stresses the need for stronger defensive measures using Western weapons.

ISW: Kremlin wants to tighten control over criticism with new legislationA proposed law in Russia aims to broaden the definition of terrorists and extremists, raising concerns about free speech.

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