Timeline: day 135 of Ukraine's defense against russia's aggression
Today is July 8. russia's military attack on Ukraine has been going on for 135 days. We're reporting on the current news. The article will be updated.
What about today?
Key points
Ukraine's General Staff showed the work of the Ukrainian forces. "For Mariupol! For Kherson! For Mykolaiv! For Kramatorsk! For all cities and villages of Ukraine!!!" the General Staff signed the photo.
The South operational command reports the work results of the Ukrainian missile artillery and other units: 12 invaders, a tank, a Msta-B howitzer, an ammunition warehouse, and an Orlan-10 UAV.
The russian ammunition depot in Chornobaivka was struck again. The military explains that it's not because the russians are so stupid; it's just that there are limited places at the front where there is physically nowhere to place equipment. That's why they are forced to gather in targeted areas. But that's fine with us.
The Special Operations Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces talked about the landing on Zmiinyi and published new photos from the island. On July 7, combat swimmers on underwater carriers approached the island. After surveying the coastal zone for the presence of mines, engineers were sent to Zmiinyi, who cleared the passage from mine fences and traps. Then the leading group landed on the island, planted the Ukrainian flag, and began collecting data on the terrain and enemy equipment.
Having lost Snake Island, russia has completely lost control over the water area in the southwestern part of the Black Sea, says military expert Oleh Zhdanov.
More than 70% of the projectiles and rockets fired by russia at Ukraine do not reach their target, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports. Most of the enemy's projectiles fall into the field, the sea, or outside the borders of the location of our troops, which indicates a reliable air defense system, as well as the reluctance of russian pilots to enter the defeat zone of our air defense assets.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, russia has carried out 6,443 sorties of operational-tactical aircraft and delivered 626 strikes with Iskander and Kalibr cruise missiles.
Who's coming to Ukraine?
On financial and information aid, weapons and politicians
Lithuanian friends handed over armored cars and drones to the defenders of the Luhansk Region, Serhii Haidai, the head of the Luhansk region, said.
This helmet, on the contrary, went abroad from Ukraine. The Ukrainian pilots who were shot down in their helicopter in March were captured, and after returning home, they sent one of their Gentex HGU-56/P helmets to Gentex in gratitude for saving their lives.
News from partners!
Romania will be able to ensure the gas supply to Ukraine, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă said. It became possible after the launch of the pipeline from Greece to Bulgaria, Digi24 reports.
The resignation of Prime Minister Johnson will not affect the continuation of NATO's work to support Ukraine, the White House said.
At the G20 summit, diplomats refused to be photographed with the russian foreign minister lavrov. The minister of the murderous country was boycotted. But "everything is going according to plan," lavrov told russian mass media.
Donetsk and Luhansk regions
The invaders are trying to advance on Sloviansk from the southeast of Izium, the Institute for the Study of War reports. According to researchers, the occupiers may want to create conditions for an offensive from the southeast from Barvinkove — either Sloviansk or Kramatorsk.
The invaders also achieved minor successes southeast of Siversk and continued their offensive west of the Lysychansk area.
In the direction of Kramatorsk, the enemy led an offensive toward Verkhnokamianske and had partial success. Toward Bakhmut, the occupiers are advancing to Vesela Dolyna and in the area of Spirne; hostilities continue. Skirmishes continue along the contact line with mortars, tanks, cannon and rocket artillery in the Avdiivka, Novopavlivka, and Zaporizhzhia directions.
russia is concentrating equipment on the front line in the direction of Siversk; the occupiers took a break to replenish supplies before starting new offensive operations in the Donetsk region. It is the data of British intelligence. It is noted that russia may choose Siversk as a direct tactical objective, as its forces are trying to advance to the most likely operational aim of the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk area.
The russians are destroying the surrounding villages to reach the administrative border of the Luhansk region, says Serhii Haidai. Even the fact that civilians still remain in settlements does not stop the occupiers. From all types of heavy weapons, the russians do not stop firing on Bilohorivka and Zolotarivka. The invaders hit houses and every building that seems to them a possible fortification.
The situation is similar in the Donetsk region's settlements near the border with the Luhansk region. In Sloviansk, a woman was killed as a result of night shelling, said the head of the city's military administration, Vadym Liakh. The tragedy occurred due to a direct hit to a private house.
The mass burial in the village of Staryi Krym has practically doubled compared to what it was in May. Most likely, the bodies of Mariupol residents, pulled out from under the rubble of buildings, are buried there.
Kharkiv region
According to ISW, the russian army conducted a limited and unsuccessful attack north of Kharkiv.
In addition, in the Kharkiv direction, the enemy fired artillery, MLRS, and tanks near Kharkiv, Mykilske, Lebyazhe, Udy, Dementiivka, Verkhnii, and Staryi Saltiv, Petrivka, Ruski Tyshki, and Bairak. The enemy made an airstrike near Petrivka. The General Staff reports this.
Yesterday in the afternoon, the enemy launched another attack on a residential quarter in the Nemyshlianskyi district of the city. According to preliminary data, three people were killed and two were injured. The units of the State Emergency Service went to 4 addresses at once.
Kherson region
The Kherson region is under enemy artillery fire — shelling falls on civilian infrastructure. The occupiers do not stop trying to hold the previously occupied borders and are constantly shelling the settlements of the Kherson region.
Signs against the "referendum" on joining russia began to appear in the temporarily occupied Kherson. "The most important thing is the position of our people! If anyone has doubts about this, just watch the video from the rallies. It is a vast topic, and now I just wanted to share the attitude of the Kherson people toward these processes. Everything will be Ukraine!" wrote Deputy Chairman of the Kherson Regional Council Yurii Sobolevskyi.
In Nova Kakhovka, it has been loud since the morning. Enemy positions are burning. According to preliminary information, the Ukrainian troops attacked an ammunition warehouse and the air defense system. As a result of these actions, several dozen russian soldiers were wounded and killed. Detailed information is being clarified. Thick smoke can be seen over the city.
Mykolaiv region
Explosions sounded in Mykolaiv in the morning. Also, in the morning, the russians shelled Bereznehuvate. Two people died due to the shelling of the village of Ukrainka.
