Ukrainian Conflict: Overview of Main Events on Day 1,245 | Eastern European Dispute Updates
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These are the significant events that have transpired on the 1,245th day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The situation as of Wednesday, July 23, is as follows:
Conflict
A drone strike by Ukraine on a civilian bus killed three individuals in the Kherson region under Russian control, according to Vladimir Saldo, a locally appointed Russian official. Saldo also noted that three more civilians were critically injured.
A Ukrainian attack resulted in the death of a man in Russia’s Belgorod region, as reported by the local governor.
A Russian glide bomb strike killed a 10-year-old boy in Kramatorsk, Eastern Ukraine, said Oleksandr Honcharenko, the head of the city’s military administration. The bombing also injured five others and sparked a fire in a building.
Russia launched multiple attacks in Ukraine’s Sumy region, including two separate drone strikes on a gas station in Putyvl, which injured 11 people, as reported by local authorities.
Russian forces claimed to have captured the village of Novotoretske in Ukraine’s Donetsk region.
Ukraine’s military reported that a French-supplied Mirage 2000 fighter jet crashed due to equipment failure, with the pilot safely ejecting.
A significant Russian drone attack damaged Ukrainian gas infrastructure, according to Sergii Koretski, CEO of Ukraine’s Naftogaz. Koretski stated that such attacks are common and the affected sites are of no military value.
Ukrainian emergency workers extinguish fires after a Russian drone strike in Kostiantynivka, Ukraine, on Tuesday [Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu]
Ceasefire Discussions
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov informed reporters that there are “no reasons to anticipate any miracles” in ceasefire talks, and Moscow has yet to confirm participation in peace talks proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Istanbul on Wednesday.
The Kremlin expressed hope for talks “this week,” with Peskov stating that an announcement regarding the dates will be made once they are ready.
President Zelenskyy outlined potential discussion topics with Moscow in Istanbul, including securing the release of captives, stopping casualties, and preparing for a leaders’ meeting.
Ukraine stated that its ex-defense minister and current secretary of the security council, Rustem Umerov, will lead Kyiv’s delegation for the proposed negotiations.
Ukrainian authorities transferred two Russian soldiers in need of medical care, with the Russian Ministry of Defence stating that the release was based on agreements made in Istanbul last month.
Political Developments
Zelenskyy signed legislation removing the independence of two anticorruption agencies after it was approved with a vote of 263 to 13 in Ukraine’s parliament.
EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos described the decision as a “significant setback” for Kyiv, emphasizing that independent bodies are crucial for Ukraine’s EU accession.
Thousands of people protested across Ukraine, including in Kyiv, against the legislation, marking the first major government protest in over three years of conflict with Russia.
The legislation followed the detention of two officials from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine by Ukraine’s domestic security agency on suspicion of ties to Russia.
