Good Morning, DKos. I am once again trying to fill a least a little bit of the gap left by Annieli’s forced absence. I hope she is back soon. In case anyone was wondering: Russia is still a terrorist state and continues its unprovoked campaign of conquest, terror and genocide in Ukraine.
One small example of Russia’s barbarism from yesterday:
The vehicle was struck by a Russian drone west of Kherson City near the coast. The driver is reportedly safe. World Central Kitchen has lost seven volunteers in Ukraine due to Russian barbarism. (they have also lost seven volunteers in Gaza due to Israeli barbarism). They have also served 260 million meals in Ukraine. If you feel like helping them deliver more meals in Ukraine and Gaza and America you can donate to WCK here.
Also in that area overnight: 2 people killed on the western edge of Kherson City when Russians shelled an ambulance. and 2 more people killed and several wounded in a village just slightly further west in the village of Bilozerka due to GRAD rocket attack.
A couple of recent bits:
Russia loses another fighter jet.
And Zelensky is in the UK: one highlight from that visit:
And… Onto the ISW report for the day; Please note that the cutoff time for this report is yesterday afternoon.
Key Takeaways (as presented in report):
- Ukrainian forces reportedly struck a Russian coast guard base in occupied Crimea on the night of July 17 to 18.
- European countries continue to display their commitment to Ukraine and unity in the face of Russian aggression.
- Rosgvardia made an unprecedented proposal on July 17 to grant Russian Central Bank leadership the right to carry automatic weapons and handguns.
- Kremlin officials continue to expand the geographic scope of Russia's proposed alternative "Eurasian security architecture."
- The US continues efforts to build out a partnership with Armenia, sparking critical reactions from Kremlin officials.
- Russian forces recently marginally advanced along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line and near Kharkiv City, Toretsk, Avdiivka, and Hulyaipole.
- Russian officials continue efforts to expand the Russian Armed Forces' training capacity and address force generation issues.
Here is the full report from ISW for July 18
Summarized info from that report (as presented by myself):
- Front Line Reports
- Kharkiv Area: significant clashes around Vovchansk and Hylboke — no significant exchange of ground
- Luhansk — minor Russian positional gains particularly SW of Kupyansk. ISW confirms earlier reports of Ukrainian advances near Niu York. Significant clashes reported along much of this line.
- Donetsk — Russian continued assaults ISW does not confirm Russian claims of gains near Chasiv Yar
- Zaporizhia — Heavy bombardment of UKR positions with unguided air dropped bombs, no significant territorial changes, Reports of Russian troop concentrations in weswtern Zaporizhia
- Russian Force Generation Efforts — Russia still trying to smooth things over with ex-Wagner orcs. There are reports that Russian Special Forces raided a battalion of ex- Wagnerites, held the command of that group prisoner in a ditch for a while, before re-assigning the commanders.
- Belarus and China are still running enjoying their play-date
Recent Items From Euromaidan
- Ukraine shot down an Iskander missile over Odessa last night
- Viktor Orban claims Trump to be the shizzle for negotiating a peace deal, citing that the Orange Shitgibbon has “detailed and well founded” plans. If you want read more about an asshole touting a shitbag, here’s the link.
- NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, said that Ukraine currently has an “excellent strategy” for conducting the war against Russia, reports Voice of America. He stresses that this war will rely on force generation and that, although Ukraine is doing well on this front, it will require continued Western support . He adds:
“Over the past few months, Ukrainians have focused on defending eastern territories, preventing Russia from freely using Crimea and southern Ukraine for attacks, maintaining their access to the Black Sea, and generating force. So, I think they have an excellent strategy. It’s just a matter of continuing to execute it.”
Link to article on NATO general’s assessment of Ukraine’s long-term strategy
- Also in NATO news: Outgoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has warned that Europe must be prepared for a prolonged Russian war in Ukraine, potentially lasting up to a decade, the BBC reports. He went on to stress the importance of continued support not only as a factor in the outcome of this war, but also in its duration, stating that “The paradox is that now President Putin believes that he can wait us out. So, therefore, the war continues.” he went to state that:
When we communicate very clearly that we are here for long haul, that we have strong enduring support for Ukraine, then we have the conditions for a solution where Ukraine prevails as a sovereign independent state.
Link to article covering NATO Sec Gen’s comments regarding western aid
The daily tallies:
Russian personnel losses drop below 1k for the first time in while. Russian Artillery losses still high. I find it amazing that Russia can still field enough big guns to lose 50 or 60 a day. I also find it amazing that that Ukraine can find and destroy that many, that regularly. I have wondered for a while if Ukraine is prioritizing artillery as targets in order to completely deplete Russian artillery capabilities. I think I will take a closer look at that tomorrow.
That’s all for the moment. I may update if there is any other big news from the UK visit or elsewhere before the Russian Stuff Blowing Up post hits. Again, I will carry on with this until Annieli returns, so if there are ways to make this better, leave a comment. Cheers.