Wednesday, July 5

Russia’s war against Ukraine

The aftermath of a Russian missile strike on the town of Pervomaiskyi, Kharkiv Oblast, on July 4, 2023. (Ukraine’s State Emergency Service/Telegram)

General Staff: Russia preparing provocation at occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Russia may be preparing a provocation at the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant “in the near future,” the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on July 4.

As Ukraine warns Russia might damage nuclear plant, Moscow blames Kyiv for potential strike. Ukraine’s military intelligence spokesperson Andrii Yusov told Channel 24 that such disinformation campaigns could serve as preparation and information cover for Russia’s own actions.

Military: Ukrainian forces advance 2 km in Berdiansk direction. Ukrainian troops have advanced up to 2 kilometers in the Berdiansk direction, the military’s Tavria command spokesperson Valerii Shershen said on July 4.

Air Force: 26 drones shot down over Ukraine over past day. Ukrainian forces have destroyed 20 attack drones and six reconnaissance drones over the past day, Ukrinform cited the Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat saying on July 4.

Russian media: Drones shot down in Moscow Oblast. At least five drones were launched against Moscow Oblast, all of which were intercepted, Russian state media reported on July 4.

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Energoatom: Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant again loses connection to its main power line. Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant again lost connection to its main external power line overnight on July 4, reported Ukraine’s state nuclear energy agency Energoatom.

Ukraine almost doubles electricity imports over June, decreases exports. Ukraine increased its electricity imports by 85% in June compared to the previous month, the ExPro Consulting group wrote on July 4.

Authorities to seal parts of Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. Ukrainian authorities will inspect and seal five buildings of lower part of the historic Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra monastery in the capital, the Culture Ministry informed on July 4.

Belgorod Governor offers evacuated Shebekino residents to return home. Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov offered on July 4 to the evacuated resident of the border town of Shebekino to return home within the next two weeks.

Media: Zelensky to visit Bulgaria. President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Bulgaria at the new government’s invitation, Bulgarian newspaper 24 Chasa reported on July 4, citing its diplomatic sources.

Human cost of war

Update: Death toll of Russian drone strike on Sumy rises to 3. The death toll of Russia’s July 3 drone attack on the northern city of Sumy has risen to three, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported.

Russian attack on Pervomaiskyi, Kharkiv Oblast injures 43. As of around 6:30 p.m. local time, 43 people are known to have been wounded in Russia’s July 4 attack on Kharkiv Oblast’s Pervomaiskyi, reported Governor Oleh Syniehubov.

General Staff: Russia has lost 231,030 troops in Ukraine. The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on July 4 that Russia has lost 231,030 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion, with an estimated 770 casualties on July 3.

Opinions and Insights

Tetiana Khutor: Are legal constraints an excuse for dragging feet on mobilizing Russian assets?

No nation can single-handedly cover all of Ukraine’s reconstruction needs, and nor should it be expected to, considering the existence of frozen Russian assets worth billions worldwide. These funds will serve as the primary source for Ukraine’s recovery.

Photo: Irina Demiroglu/Facebook

International response

Ministry: European countries spent $47 billion so far to aid Ukrainian refugees. European countries have allocated 43 billion euros ($47 billion) on shelter and aid for Ukrainian refugees since the start of the full-scale invasion, the Reintegration Ministry informed on July 4.

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly recognizes Russia as state sponsor of terrorism. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly recognized Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism and the private mercenary Wagner Group as a terrorist organization, according to Yevheniia Kravchuk, a member of the Ukrainian delegation to the assembly.

Netherlands to provide Ukraine with $128 million aid package. The Dutch government announced another aid package for Ukraine worth 118 million euros (about $128 million) on July 4, which will go toward the country’s humanitarian and economic needs.

Bulgarian minister: New military aid package for Ukraine ‘taking shape.’ Bulgaria has already begun preparing the new package of military aid for Ukraine, Defense Minister Todor Tagarev told Glavcom on July 4.

NATO military chief: Ukraine not to receive fighter jets before counteroffensive already over. Ukraine will not receive modern Western fighter jets before its ongoing counteroffensive is already over, said Lieutenant Admiral Rob Bauer, the Chairman of the Military Committee of NATO, on British radio station LBC on July 4.

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