General Staff: Russian forces attempt advances in Donetsk, Luhansk oblasts.
Russian forces attempted offensives in five directions in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported[1] in its evening update on July 8. The military reported that Russian forces conducted airstrikes and shelled multiple settlements in the area. The directions include the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Marinka and Shakhtarske sectors.
Donetsk Oblast Pavlo Kyrylenko reported[2] that Russian shelling on July 8 of a residential part of Lyman killed eight civilians, and injured 13. Russian forces are reportedly focusing on Donetsk Oblast, where 25 skirmishes were reported over the past day, according to the report. In the southern sectors, Russian forces are attempting to hinder Ukraine's advance by launching air strikes and shelling over 20 settlements in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts, the military said.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces are continuing offensive operations toward Melitopol and Berdiansk, targeting Russian positions with airstrikes and artillery. Read also: 'It's a lottery': How Ukraine's assault brigade counterattacks near Bakhmut[3]
Alexander Khrebet
Reporter
Alexander Khrebet is a reporter with the Kyiv Independent. He covers Ukraine's foreign policy, alleged abuse of power in the country's military leadership, and reports on the Russian-occupied territories.
Alexander is the European Press Prize 2023 winner, the #AllForJan Award 2023 winner and Ukraine's 2022 National Investigative Journalism Award finalist.
His was published in the Washington Times and Atlantic Council.