Ukraine repels raids as Russia pushes east

Ukrainian forces are successfully resisting Russia's determined summer offensive to breach defenses along the front line, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

“They are not making progress. It's extremely challenging for our troops. And it's challenging everywhere,” Zelenskyy informed reporters on Thursday, with the comments embargoed until Friday. “It's also very difficult for the Russians - and that's advantageous for us.”

As the conflict stretches into its fourth year following Russia's February 2022 invasion, resources are being depleted on both sides, although Russia has more capacity and manpower to persist. Ukraine is appealing for more support from Western allies.

While Russia has claimed the capture of some villages recently, no major urban strongholds have succumbed to its advances.

Russian sabotage and reconnaissance teams have attempted minor raids near Pokrovsk in the eastern Donetsk region to capture symbolic footage, like raising a Russian flag, but Ukrainian forces have effectively fended off these attempts, Zelenskyy reported.

“There have been five to seven such instances, sometimes with as few as two or six troops. One time they tried to hold a position with 12, but all were neutralized by our defenders,” Zelenskyy commented.

He noted improvements in the northeastern Sumy border region, with progress by Ukrainian forces over the past six weeks.

In light of heightened Russian bombardment on Ukrainian cities—Kharkiv being hit by a powerful glide bomb for the second consecutive day, injuring seven people—Ukraine is endeavoring to secure 10 US-manufactured Patriot air defense systems. Three have been confirmed from Germany and Norway, according to Zelenskyy.

The systems are crucial for intercepting missiles, although each comes with a significant price tag exceeding USD 1 billion. The administration under former U.S. President Trump has agreed to sell these systems, but Ukraine still needs to secure funding for all ten and is seeking a license to manufacture Patriots independently.

The possibility of a summit meeting between Russia and Ukraine remains bleak, despite Kremlin officials discussing a potential leaders' summit. Zelenskyy remarked, “To end the war, there must be a meeting of leaders. There's no alternative with (the Russians).”

However, the Kremlin opposes high-level talks before a detailed peace agreement is brokered. “A high-level meeting should conclude the settlement and formalize the modalities and agreements that experts are yet to develop,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated. “It has to be done in this sequence.”

On the domestic front, Zelenskyy acknowledged the legitimacy of public protests against recent amendments to Ukraine's anti-corruption law. These changes, which endangered the independence of anti-corruption agencies, sparked criticism from the European Union and international rights groups, leading Zelenskyy to propose legislation to re-establish the autonomy of these watchdogs.

“It's vital that society expresses itself. I value societal opinion,” Zelenskyy said. “Society requested changes, and we responded.” The demonstrations persisted for a third day on Thursday but saw fewer participants.

Zelenskyy emphasized that these agencies must remain “genuinely independent” and underscored, “The unity of our nation is crucial, especially during this war. Maintaining our cohesion is critical.” He cautioned that failure by the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, to pass the new bill could escalate protests. However, Zelenskyy expressed optimism about the bill's approval in the vote scheduled for July 31.

“The bill's existence is what's critical. It has been filed. I'm confident it will secure enough votes. I desire that outcome,” he stated. (AP) SKS NPK NPK

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