Key Events on Day 1,238 of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
Here is a summary of the current situation as of Wednesday, July 16:
Conflicts
- A Russian strike in the Kupiansk area, Kharkiv region, killed two elderly individuals and injured two more, according to the regional prosecutor’s office.
- A Russian artillery attack near Velykopysarivska, Sumy region, resulted in the death of a 50-year-old resident, as reported by regional authorities.
- The Russian Defence Ministry claimed its forces captured Voskresenka and Petrivka villages in Donetsk’s eastern region.
- A Ukrainian drone strike in Voronezh, Russia, wounded 27 people, with damage to a kindergarten leading to temporary relocation of children, as stated by the mayor, Sergei Petrin.
- Russian air defences reportedly destroyed 12 Ukrainian drones over the Voronezh region, as per Governor Alexander Gusev.
- One person was injured when a drone crashed in Yelets city, Lipetsk region, local Governor Igor Artamonov reported.
- In Sluchevsk, Bryansk region, a drone attack injured a woman, as confirmed by Governor Alexander Bogomaz.
- The Russian Defence Ministry noted that its air forces obliterated 55 Ukrainian drones throughout the night, spanning across five Russian regions and the Black Sea.
Politics and Diplomatic Efforts
- US President Donald Trump urged against targeting Moscow during a press briefing at the White House, stating his viewpoint as neutral and expressing a desire to end the hostilities.
- Senior Russian security official Dmitry Medvedev dismissed Trump’s 50-day “ultimatum” for Russia to end its invasion of Ukraine following Trump’s pledge to supply more arms to Kyiv through NATO and impose tariffs on Russia.
- Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded to Trump’s remarks, calling them “very serious,” with some comments perceived as directly aimed at Russian President Putin.
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed Trump’s shift in stance towards Russia.
- Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal submitted his resignation following President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s endorsement of Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko for the position; Shmyhal is expected to become Ukraine’s defence minister.
- Slovakia’s request delayed the European Union’s approval of new sanctions against Russia.
- The European Council sanctioned additional individuals for their involvement in human rights abuses and suppression of civil society and political opposition in Russia.
- US citizen Daniel Martin Dale received a Russian passport in Moscow for aiding pro-Russian forces with information that targeted Ukrainian troops.
Military Supplies
- Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden announced they will participate in the US plan for NATO countries to purchase US weapons for Ukraine.
- Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala declared that his country will not join the NATO weapons acquisition plan, indicating a focus on other forms of assistance for Ukraine, including the ammunition initiative.
