UKRainian Army Has Initiative On Kupiansk Front Now; RUssian Sabotage Groups ATTEMPT to Enter UKR From North; UKR Downs 32 Drones, 6 Missiles Launched by RU 0vernight; US Says UKR has Significant Combat Power Not Yet Committed to the War, LIVE UPDATES and MORE

Ukrainian army has initiative on Kupiansk front now – Deputy Defence Minister:

Ukrainian troops have gained the initiative on the Kupiansk front in Kharkiv Oblast.

Source: Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar

Quote: “The enemy’s offensive on the Kupiansk front is currently unsuccessful.

The fighting continues, but the initiative is on our side.

On the southern flank around Bakhmut, today, like on all previous days, our troops advanced.

Fighting continued on the northern flank today. The enemy is trying to regain lost positions. Our soldiers have to deal with densely mined territories and intense enemy fire.”

Background:

• On the morning of 18 July, Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, said that the situation in the east of Ukraine was difficult but controlled, with the Russians keeping their main forces on the Kupiansk front and moving reserves to the Bakhmut front. 

—>READ MORE HERE

Russian sabotage groups attempt to enter Ukraine from north – General Nayev:

Russia has attempted to use sabotage and reconnaissance groups to enter Ukraine’s northern Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts, Ukrainian Joint Forces Commander, Lieutenant-General Serhiy Nayev wrote on Telegram on July 18.

The Russians are shelling Ukraine’s northern oblasts with multiple rocket launchers, artillery and mortars, as well as launching airstrikes, he said.

The units of the North operational and strategic grouping are fully ready to repel any threats from Russia Nayev emphasized.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s General Staff has foreseen all possible options for the development of events and appropriate measures to strengthen positions in case of a possible escalation in the north.

The number of forces and equipment in the northern direction is sufficient to fulfill the tasks set by the state leadership, the officer stressed.

The Russians most often shell civilians and civil infrastructure facilities, Nayev added.

Earlier, the commander reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to strengthen defense measures on the border with Russia, creating a “no-go zone.” In particular, thousands of trenches and ditches have been dug over the past 10 days.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Reintegration announced that residents of the border areas of Sumy Oblast would be evacuated due to Russian constant shelling. —>READ MORE HERE

Follow links below to +++++relevant+++++ and related stories:

+++++Russia-Ukraine News LATEST UPDATES: (REUTERS) (AP) (NY POST) and (WSJ)+++++

+++++Air Force: Ukraine downs 32 drones, 6 missiles launched by Russia overnight+++++

+++++US says Ukraine has significant combat power not yet committed to the war+++++

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