Russia Claims Further Missile Strikes On Ukrainian Military Installations

Russia has claimed that it has conducted further missile strikes on Ukrainian military installations.

The footage was obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) on Wednesday, July 6, with Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov, 56, the chief spokesman for the Russian MoD giving a briefing during which it was claimed that Russia had “continued strikes against military facilities in Ukraine.”

The Russian MoD also claimed in a statement (in English): “Russian Aerospace Forces strike on a temporary deployment point of 22nd Motorized Infantry Battalion of 92nd Mechanized Brigade based in Kharkov has destroyed up to 100 Ukrainian nationalists and 4 pieces of military equipment.

“High-precision air-based missiles have destroyed 2 U.S.-made HIMARSs multiple-launch rocket launchers and 2 ammunition depots near Malotaranovka in Donetsk People’s Republic.

“High-precision weapons have destroyed 1 S-300 surface-to-air missile system radar station near Shirokolanivka, Nikolaev Region and 1 temporary deployment point of foreign mercenary units near Liman in Nikolaev Region.

“Russian Aerospace Forces have destroyed 1 depot of rocket and artillery weapons belonging to the 57th Mechanized Brigade on the eastern outskirts of Soledar, where 1,500 shells of various calibers and over 100 foreign-made anti-tank missile systems were stored. […]”

We contacted the Russian Ministry of Defense for further comment, as well the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, but haven’t received a reply at the time of writing.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin continues to dub a “special military operation.” July 6 marks the 133rd day of the invasion.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between February 24 and July 6, Russia had lost about 36,500 personnel, 1,600 tanks, 3,789 armored combat vehicles, 812 artillery units, 247 multiple launch rocket systems, 107 air defense systems, 217 warplanes, 187 helicopters, 664 drones, 153 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 2,648 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 65 units of special equipment.

Russian forces have hit targets across Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, while the local governor has urged 350,000 civilians to evacuate.

Heavy shelling has been reported in the city of Sloviansk, in the Donetsk region, with at least two people killed and seven injured.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is pushing his advantage after his forces captured the Ukrainian city of Lysychansk, in the eastern Luhansk Oblast region, ordering Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to continue the offensive.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Ukrainian forces would retake the city “thanks to the increase in the supply of modern weapons.”

Luhansk’s regional governor Serhiy Haidai claimed that Ukraine’s troops have now moved to new fortified positions. He pleaded for more weapons from Ukraine’s allies to help fight Russia’s current advantage.

Haidai also said that the battle for Lysychansk had forced Russia to commit troops that could have been fighting on other fronts, giving Ukraine time to reinforce the Donetsk region. Ukrainian troops have set up new defensive lines in the region, where they are in control of major cities, with plans to launch a counter-offensive in the southern part of the country.

President Zelensky is negotiating with Turkey and the UN in a bid to secure guarantees for his country’s grain exports. The move comes after Turkish authorities detained a Russian cargo ship carrying grain allegedly stolen from Ukraine. The ship is said to contain over 7,000 tons of grain that Russian officials said would be sent to “friendly” countries.

Ukraine has now also asked Turkey to investigate three additional Russian ships that it says transported stolen grain.

The leader of the Russian-backed administration in the occupied Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine, Yevgeny Balitsky, has said they plan to sell Ukraine’s grain to Middle Eastern countries.

Canada has become the first NATO country to formally ratify Sweden’s and Finland’s accession into the Alliance.

Finland and Sweden completed accession talks at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on Monday, July 4. NATO said: “Both countries formally confirmed their willingness and ability to meet the political, legal and military obligations and commitments of NATO membership.”

NATO’s 30 member countries have sent the Nordic countries’ membership bids to their parliaments for approval.

NATO has appointed U.S. Army General Christopher G. Cavoli as its new Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. He speaks Russian and has a master’s degree from Yale in Russian studies.

Latvia has said that it is reinstating compulsory military service as a result of growing tension with Russia over President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.