On July 1, the Russian forces shelled several locations including Siversk, Lysychansk, Bakhmut, and villages in the Avdiivka, Kurakhove, Novopavlivka, and Zaporizhzhia directions. Shelling continued near Kharkiv as well. During the shelling of Serhiivka in the Odessa region, a 9-story building and a resort were destroyed, resulting in the deaths of 21 people.

On July 3, the Ukrainian side announced the withdrawal of troops from Lysychansk. This was confirmed by President Volodymyr Zelensky, who admitted the loss of the Luhansk region. In the Donetsk direction, Russian forces concentrated their efforts on pushing Ukrainian forces back to the Siversk-Fedorovka-Bakhmut line. Attacks also continued in the Avdiivka and Kurakhove directions.

On July 5, the Russian State Duma began work on legislation aimed at transitioning to a wartime economy, which would mandate companies to produce war materials. On Vladimir Putin’s orders, Russian forces initiated an operational pause to regroup and replenish their depleted forces after occupying the Luhansk region. Simultaneously, Russian troops conducted smaller operations and prepared for a large-scale offensive.

In the following days, Russian forces continued shelling Kharkiv and border areas, attacked Bakhmut, and attempted an offensive in the Yasynuvata-Avdiivka direction.

On July 11,  White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan reported that Iran would soon supply Russia with several hundred unmanned aerial vehicles, which could be ready for use as early as July.

On July 12,  Russian forces carried out an attack on the nuclear power plant in Enerhodar, blaming the Ukrainian side for the assault.

On July 14, a missile strike on Vinnytsia resulted in the deaths of 23 people and injured more than 100 others. A medical facility and residential buildings were targeted in the attack.

On July 16, Russian forces attempted to capture Siversk and Bakhmut and sought to take control of the Vuhlehirska Thermal Power Plant, but they were met with a strong response from the Ukrainian side.

In the Donbas region, the Russian side continued the practice of illegal deportations. Colonel General Mikhail Mizintsev, Head of the Russian National Defense Management Center, reported that "28,424 people, including 5,148 children, were evacuated to Russia in the last 24 hours. In total, since February 24, 2,612,747 people, including 412,553 children, have been deported."

On July 18, EU ministers discussed the economic situation of the agricultural sector in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. During the meeting, the subject of  the establishment of EU solidarity corridors and appropriate platforms to connect producers with companies that could help transport grain from Ukraine was addressed.

Illustrative photo. Generated by AI