In an intelligence report issued this morning, the ministry said: Their forces have highly likely established a bridgehead south of the Ingulets River, which forms the northern boundary of Russian-occupied Kherson. Ukraine has used its new long range artillery to damage at least three of the bridges across the Dnipro River which Russia relies upon to supply the areas under its control. One of these, the 1000 metre long Antonivskiy bridge near Kherson city, was damaged last week. Ukraine struck it again on 27 July 2022 and it is highly likely that the crossing is now unusable. Russia’s 49th Army is stationed on the west bank of the Dnipro River and now looks highly vulnerable. Similarly, Kherson city, the most politically significant population centre occupied by Russia, is now virtually cut off from the other occupied territories. Its loss would severely undermine Russia’s attempts to paint the occupation as a success.” Key events Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Ukrinform reports some more details of missile strikes on Mykolaiv, which the mayor says took place at 4am. It quotes Oleksandr Syenkevych saying: Educational institutions and residential buildings were damaged by rocket attacks today. Russian terrorists are cynically shelling the civilian infrastructure of Mykolaiv. Another city school was almost completely destroyed. Part of the building collapsed there. The security guard of the institution was injured. Windows and roofs were broken in nearby private houses. He went on to say that the Shipbuilding University was hit, and that two high-rise buildings are currently known to have been damaged.
Ukraine’s Kherson counter-offensive ‘gathering momentum’: UK MoD
Ukraine’s counter-offensive in Kherson is gathering momentum, according to the UK Ministry of Defence. In an intelligence report issued this morning, the ministry said: Their forces have highly likely established a bridgehead south of the Ingulets River, which forms the northern boundary of Russian-occupied Kherson. Ukraine has used its new long range artillery to damage at least three of the bridges across the Dnipro River which Russia relies upon to supply the areas under its control. One of these, the 1000 metre long Antonivskiy bridge near Kherson city, was damaged last week. Ukraine struck it again on 27 July 2022 and it is highly likely that the crossing is now unusable. Russia’s 49th Army is stationed on the west bank of the Dnipro River and now looks highly vulnerable. Similarly, Kherson city, the most politically significant population centre occupied by Russia, is now virtually cut off from the other occupied territories. Its loss would severely undermine Russia’s attempts to paint the occupation as a success.”
More than 20 missiles launched from Belarus, Ukraine’s military says
Ukrainian officials have released a little more detail surrounding the reported missile attack on the Chernihiv region this morning. Ukraine’s operational command north released an update citing information they had received from Belarusian sources about the launch of more than 20 missiles from Belarus. From 5.20pm to 6.30pm. On July 28, 2022, information from Belarusian sources received information about the launch of more than 20 missiles from Belarus. Currently, it is known about the arrival of 9 rockets across the territory of the Goncharivska, Chernihiv region.” No casualties have yet been reported, the force added.
Missiles fired from Belarus hit Chernihiv region, governor says
More than ten missiles reportedly fired from Belarus hit the Chernihiv region early this morning, according to Ukrainian officials. Regional governor Viacheslav Chaus said “more than ten” missiles were fired from the territory of Belarus striking the Goncharivska area around 5am. In a Telegram update issued this morning, he said: Today we all woke up very early and this awakening was very disturbing, we could hear explosions. After 5am, large-scale rocket launches from the territory of Belarus. There is preliminary information about a hit near Goncharivskyi.” Chaus declined to say where the explosions occurred, citing security reasons and added that information about victims is being clarified. Updated at 06.40 BST
Russia redeploying troops to Ukraine’s south
Russian forces are undertaking a “massive redeployment” of troops to three southern regions of Ukraine in what appears to be a change of tactics by Moscow, a senior adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday. Oleksiy Arestovych said Russia was sending troops to the Melitopol and Zaporizhzhia regions and Kherson, signalling a change in tactics to strategic defence from offence. In an interview with Ukrainian television on Wednesday, he said: (This would) place us in a position where we are unable to liberate all our territory and call for talks” “Putin sent an army to Ukraine in order to recreate the Soviet Union,” Arestovych added.
UN Security Council unable to agree on a statement for grain deal
The UN Security Council has been unable to agree on a statement welcoming last week’s deal to get grain and fertiliser moving from Ukraine and Russia to millions of hungry people around the world, Norway’s UN ambassador has said. The statement also would have commended secretary-general Antonio Guterres and Turkey’s government for their key roles in arranging the agreement. “Norway and Mexico have been working for days to unify the council in one message welcoming the significant deal to resume exports of grains, foodstuffs and fertilisers through the Black Sea,” Norwegian Ambassador Mona Juul told The Associated Press. “We regret that this was not possible.” Russia and Ukraine signed separate agreements Friday with Turkey and the UN clearing the way for Ukraine — one of the world’s key breadbaskets — to export 22m tons of grain and other agricultural goods that have been stuck in Black Sea ports because of Russia’s invasion. The deal also aims to ensure that Russian food and fertiliser have unrestricted access to world markets. Council diplomats said Russia objected to the last draft statement on the grain deal because it mentioned Guterres’ condemnation of Saturday’s airstrike. The proposed statement from Norway and Mexico, obtained by AP, would have welcomed the progress at Friday’s signing of the deal “towards ensuring the safe and secure export of grains, foodstuffs and fertilisers from Ukraine and the Russian Federation.” It would have commended Guterres and Turkey and called for swift implementation of commitments made in Istanbul. “A unified statement from the council welcoming the deal and commending the secretary-general for his efforts would have been an important signal,” Juul said. “Norway believes the personal efforts and engagement of the secretary-general has been essential in facilitating negotiations between the parties,” Juul said. “These efforts are more important than ever, as the effects of the war continue to be felt by the people of Ukraine and beyond.”
Russia strikes Kyiv region, governor says
Russia has reportedly struck infrastructure in the Kyiv region early this morning according to Ukrainian officials. Kyiv regional governor, Oleksiy Kuleba, said a rocket attack was launched on the Vyshgorod district, just north of the capital. In a Telegram update posted just after 6am, Kuleba said: This morning, the enemy launched a rocket attack on one of the communities of the Vyshgorod district. The object of the infrastructure was fired upon. Information about the victims is being clarified. All emergency services are already on site.” The Kyiv city council also issued an air alert alarm around the same time, urging residents to seek shelter. ⚡️Governor: Russia strikes infrastructure in Kyiv Oblast early on July 28. According to Kyiv Oblast Governor Oleksiy Kuleba, Russian forces struck an infrastructure object in one of the communities in Vyshhorodsky District north of the capital. — The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) July 28, 2022
Operation to liberate Kherson ‘has already begun’ Ukraine says
Ukraine has said its operation to liberate Kherson “has already begun” after striking the key Russian supply route through the Antonivskiy Bridge into the Russian-occupied southern city on Wednesday. Presidental adviser, Oleksiy Arestovych, also confirmed Ukraine’s strategy to isolate Russian forces, maintaining that there is a “certain plan” of the armed forces of Ukraine to “isolate [Russia’s] military operations”. No matter how much the enemy overtakes forces and resources on the western bank of the Dnieper, the Armed Forces of Ukraine will first leave them without ammunition depots, fuel, communications and command, and then they will clean up the remnants of their forces.” Arestovych added that Russian forces had three options: Retreat (if possible), surrender or be destroyed.” Another senior presidential adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, added: Occupiers should learn how to swim across the Dnipro River. Or should leave Kherson while it is still possible. There may not be a third warning.” Ukrainian officials also confirmed its troops used US-supplied precision rocket launchers to damage the Antonivskiy bridge. Zelenskiy vowed Ukraine would rebuild the bridge and other crossings in the region. We are doing everything to ensure that the occupying forces do not have any logistical opportunities in our country.”
Summary and welcome
Hello and welcome back to the Guardian’s live coverage of the war in Ukraine. I’m Samantha Lock and I will be bringing you all the latest developments for the next short while. Ukraine has said its operation to liberate Kherson “has already begun” after striking the key Russian supply…
