President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday, July 30, 2022 called on residents of the Donetsk region to evacuate this part of the Donetsk industrial basin, where Russia is gaining ground “Save as many lives as possible”.
At least 200,000 civilians still live in these areas. Russian attacks on cities in the region claim civilian casualties almost daily.
During the night from Saturday to Sunday, the Ukrainian army reported Russian artillery attacks, especially in Bakhmout and Kramatorsk near the front line. According to the American Institute for War Studies (ISW) “Russian forces appear to be prioritizing offensives against Bakhmut and around the city of Donetsk to the detriment of efforts to take Siversk and Slovyansk.”.
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The situation on the Ukrainian front, Sunday, July 31, 2022. | INFOGRAPHIC WEST FRANCE
Other strikes hit the Kharkiv (east) and Sumy (northeast) regions, as well as Mykolaiv. Here is an update on the situation on the 158th day of the conflict.
One of Ukraine’s richest men was killed in a strike in Mykolayiv
The city of Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine was probably heavily bombed by the Russians overnight from Saturday to Sunday “the strongest” Since the beginning of the war, the authorities announced on Sunday 31 July.
The region’s governor, Vitali Kim, reported two deaths in these strikes. They are Oleksiï Vadatoursky, 74, owner of Ukraine’s main grain logistics company Niboulon, and his wife Raïssa Vadatourska, who were at home at the time of the strikes.
“It’s not a coincidence, it’s a premeditated murder,” responded to Telegram Mykhaïlo Podoliak, an adviser to the Ukrainian Presidency. “The fact that the rocket hit the bedroom of her house leaves no doubt: Vadatoursky was the target”.
“He was one of the most important agricultural entrepreneurs in the country, a key figure in the region and a major employer”underlined Mr Podoliak.
millionaire and “Hero of Ukraine”Oleksiï Vadatoursky was the 24th richest Ukrainian on the Forbes magazine list in 2021. Before the war, his company exported grain to 70 countries.
Ukraine claims not to have targeted Russian fleet personnel in Crimea
Ukraine on Sunday denied having used a drone to attack the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea.
“This morning Ukrainian nationalists decided to spoil our day of the Russian fleet” celebrated in Russia this Sunday, wrote Mikhail Razvozjayev, governor of Sevastopol on Telegram. He specified that a drone landed in the fleet staff yard and reported six injured among fleet staff members.
The Russian allegations about “a so-called Ukrainian attack by the headquarters of the Russian fleet in Sevastopol” are “deliberate provocation”responded Serguiï Bratchouk, spokesman for the Odessa regional administration, in a video on Telegram. “The liberation of occupied Ukrainian Crimea will be done in a different, much more efficient way”he added.
After the bombing of a prison, international investigators are not yet allowed to go there
The ICRC said in a statement on Sunday that it has not yet received official permission to enter Olenivka prison, where dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war died in a bomb attack in circumstances yet to be elucidated.
“So far, our offer of material support has not been accepted”added the ICRC in its press release.
On Saturday evening, Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had issued an invitation to the ICRC and the UN to travel there.
The ICRC requested access to the website and “to all the places where the wounded and dead were taken” as soon as he was informed of the bombardment.
Olenivka prison was bombed on Friday, and Russia and Ukraine are blaming each other. The Russian army reported 50 dead and 73 wounded, with pro-Russian separatist authorities in the Donetsk region calling up to 53 dead. As for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he described the bombardment that was made “More than 50 dead” from “Premeditated Russian War Crime”.
The first shipment of grain could leave Ukraine on Monday
The spokesman for the Turkish Presidency reiterated this Sunday that this is the case “high probability” that a first ship carrying Ukrainian grain left the port of Odessa, Ukraine, on Monday, April 1.
However, Ibrahim Kalin clarified that it is still “ settle an issue or two in the negotiations with the Russians”. “Preparations have reached a point that would allow ships to leave the port of Odessa. The ships are loaded, they are ready to go, but good logistical coordination is required.”he added.
The resumption of exports was also mentioned at a meeting between Turkey’s defense minister and Ukraine’s defense and infrastructure minister, Ankara said on Sunday. “It is planned to start the transport as soon as possible”, This was announced by the Turkish ministry in a statement.
Russia will acquire hypersonic missiles
Vladimir Putin announced on Sunday that the Russian Navy would receive Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles in the coming months, adding without mentioning Ukraine that their theater of operations depended on Russian interests.
At a Navy Day parade in Saint Petersburg, the Russian president said he had signed a new naval doctrine, a 55-page document targeting the United States as Russia’s arch-rival.
The new doctrine reaffirms the desire to give Russia a “great sea power” on all seas of the earth and defines them as the main threat “the strategic policy of the United States aimed at dominating the oceans” and the extension of the Atlantic Alliance to the Russian borders.
Without specifically citing Ukraine, which Russian forces invaded last February, the text says it provides for a “General strengthening of Russia’s geopolitical position in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
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