RUssian Forces in Bakhmut ‘semi-encircled’; Invaders Try to Regain Lost Positions Near Pryiutne, but to No Avail; UKR Counter-Offensive Succeeds On 3 Fronts; UKR is Using Cluster Munitions ‘effectively’, LIVE UPDATES and MORE

Syrskyi: Russian forces in Bakhmut ‘semi-encircled’:

Russian forces in Bakhmut have been semi-encircled as Ukraine created conditions to retake the city, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi told the BBC on July 20.

“At the moment, the deployment of Russian troops resembles an arch, concentrated in Bakhmut. And they are under semi-encirclement. Well, it’s impossible not to take advantage of that,” the commander of Ukrainian forces in the east said in the interview.

Syrskyi noted that recapturing the city, taken by Russia in late May, has not only symbolic but also strategic value, as it represents a significant transport hub, allowing Russian forces further advances.

According to the general, the Wagner Group contractors who led the efforts to take the city suffered such heavy losses that they have been rendered unusable in combat. Ukraine will be able to capture Bakhmut with ten times smaller losses, Syrskyi said.

While admitting there is no clear timeframe for retaking the city, the general says it will be attempted as soon as possible.

Syrskyi noted that his troops are facing the concentration of Russian troops on the eastern front. Moscow has an advantage in artillery, air forces, and other hardware, the general listed the obstacles to Ukraine’s swift advance.

Russia is also redeploying units from Zaporizhzhia Oblast, currently facing a major thrust of Ukrainian counteroffensive, to the east, illustrating the strategic value of the region for the Kremlin, the general commented. —>READ MORE HERE

Invaders try to regain lost positions near Pryiutne, but to no avail – General Staff report:

Invaders try to regain lost positions near Pryiutne, but to no avail – General Staff report

From the beginning of the day on 20 July, Russian forces tried to regain lost positions in the area north of Pryiutne, Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 18:00 on 20 July

Quote: “[The enemy – ed.] made unsuccessful attempts to retake lost position in the area north of Pryiutne, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The enemy launched an airstrike in the area of Piatykhatky, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Over 25 settlements were shelled.”

Details: The General Staff also reports that the Russians continue to focus their main efforts on the Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka fronts, where 20 combat clashes took place during the day.

Ukrainian forces, in particular, repelled Russian attacks on the Kupiansk, Bakhmut and Marinka fronts. —>READ MORE HERE

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

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

+++++Ukrainian counter-offensive succeeds on 3 fronts – ISW+++++

+++++Kirby: Ukraine is using cluster munitions ‘effectively’+++++

General Staff: Ukraine continues to repel attacks near Kupiansk



Ukrainian army gains several hundred meters a day in south direction, National Guard



Airfield in Russian Ryazan Oblast attacked by drone again



The Pivotal Mission in Ukraine’s Counteroffensive: Hunting for Mines



Ukraine liberated more territory in a month than Russia captured in a year − MI6 Chief



EU launches talks on 20 billion euro Ukraine military fund



Russian Strikes Hit Southern Ukraine, Children Among the Injured



Russia’s Wagner mercenaries launch joint training with Belarusian military near Poland’s border



Russia’s Influence on India Wanes Even as Affection Lingers



New US sanctions are aimed at choking off Russia’s access to battlefield supplies and revenue



Ukrainian Military Warns Ships Against Heading to Russian Black Sea Ports



Russia bombs Ukraine ports, threatens ships, as Kyiv deploys cluster munitions



The Parable of F-16s for Ukraine



EU adopts new sanctions against Iran to prevent export of drone components

Source