The 513th day of the Russia-Ukraine War: official operational information by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on 21.07.2023.
Russian offensive actions and impact on civilians
The Russian Federation continues to conduct an aggressive war. Despite significant losses, it persists in its plans for the complete occupation of Ukrainian territory. The Russian army continues to kill the peaceful population of Ukraine, disregarding the laws and customs of war, employing terror tactics, and launching attacks on both military and civilian targets.
During the last 24 hours, Russian troops carried out another massive missile and aerial strike on Ukrainian territory. They used 3 sea-based Kalibr cruise missiles, 4 land-based Iskander cruise missiles, 6 Oniks cruise missiles, 1 Kh-59 cruise missile, and 1 guided anti-aircraft missile from the S-300 surface-to-air missile system. In addition, they launched 12 airstrikes and conducted 29 shelling attacks with rocket artillery on the positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas. Unfortunately, these Russian terrorist attacks resulted in casualties and injuries among children and civilians, as well as destruction and damage to grain storage facilities in southern Ukraine, industrial objects, and over 70 civilian residential buildings and other infrastructure.
The likelihood of missile and aerial strikes across Ukraine remains high. The Russian army continues to concentrate its main efforts on the directions of Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Marinka, where heavy fighting is ongoing. During the past 24 hours, there have been 33 military clashes.
Intensified frontline clashes and epicenters of conflict
All maps provided by War Mapper
- In the Volyn and Polissia directions, the operational situation remains unchanged, with no significant changes observed in the formation of offensive groupings. Identified units of the Belarusian Armed Forces are carrying out tasks in border areas with Ukraine.
- In the Siversk and Slobozhansk directions, the Russian army maintains its military presence. It has conducted mortar and artillery shelling on more than 15 populated areas, including Honcharivske in Chernihiv Oblast; Stukalivka, Bilovody, Stepne, and Morozova Dolyna in Sumy Oblast; and Veterynarne, Kozacha Lopan, Hoptivka, Vysoka Yaruga, and Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast.
- In the Kupiansk direction, our troops are holding their defense steadfastly. The enemy subjected Krasne Pershe, Fiholivka, Novomlynsk, Kupiansk, and Novoosinove in Kharkiv Oblast to artillery and mortar attacks.
- In the Lyman direction, Russian attempted offensive actions in the areas of Nadia, Makiivka, and Nevske in Luhansk Oblast, as well as Serebryanskyy Lis, and Dibrova in Donetsk Oblast, were unsuccessful. Russian troops carried out airstrikes in the areas of Serebryanskyy Lis, Spirne, and Dibrova in Donetsk Oblast. Artillery shelling affected the settlements of Nevske and Bilohorivka in Luhansk Oblast and Torske, Verkhniokamianske, Spirne, and Berestove in Donetsk Oblast.
- In the Bakhmut direction, Ukrainian military successfully repelled Russian attacks in the Grygoryivka area in Donetsk Oblast, despite intense Russian artillery fire. Over 10 populated areas, including Vasyukivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bohdanivka, Kostiantynivka, Markove, Ivanivske, Druzhba, and Pivnichne in Donetsk Oblast, suffered from Russian artillery shelling.
- In the Avdiivka direction, under heavy Russian aviation and artillery fire, Ukrainian troops successfully repelled Russian attacks in the Pervomaiske area of Donetsk Oblast. The Russian army conducted airstrikes in the Avdiivka area and carried out artillery shelling on more than 10 populated areas, including Ceramic, Krasnohorivka, Avdiivka, Vodyane, Pervomaiske, and Nevelske in Donetsk Oblast.
- In the Marinka direction, Ukrainian soldiers continue to restrain the advance of Russian troops in the areas of Krasnohorivka and Marinka in Donetsk Oblast. The Russian army carried out shelling on more than 10 populated areas, including Marinka, Heorhiivka, Maksymilianivka, Hostre, and Pobeda in Donetsk Oblast.
- In the Shakhtarsk direction, Russian troops conducted shelling on more than 10 populated areas, including Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Neskuchne, and Blahodatne in Donetsk Oblast.
- In the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions, the Russian army concentrates its main efforts on preventing further advancement of Ukrainian troops. Over 25 populated areas suffered from artillery shelling, including Levadne, Huliaipole, Huliaipilske, Bilohirya, Kamianske in Zaporizhzhia Oblast; Zolota Balka, Mykhailivka, Novooleksandrivka, Beryslav, Lvove, and Antonivka in Kherson Oblast, as well as the city of Kherson and Ochakiv in Mykolaiv Oblast. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Armed Forces continue their offensive operation in the Melitopol and Berdiansk directions, consolidating their positions at achieved lines, using artillery to strike identified Russian targets and conducting counter-battery measures.
Ukrainian countermeasures
During the day, the aviation of Ukraine conducted 13 strikes on areas with personnel, equipment, and military vehicles concentrations, and 3 strikes on Russian anti-aircraft missile complexes.
Units of missile forces and artillery hit the area with the concentration of Russian personnel, equipment, and military vehicles, destroying 2 artillery pieces on firing positions and Russian electronic warfare station.
Source: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
See also: General Staff operational report July 20, 2023 on the Russian invasion of Ukraine
