Victorious news of 887th day of war: US unveils $200 million aid package for Ukraine, Ukrainian cyber specialists attack Russia's central bank

Ukrainian intelligence confirms strike on Russian bomber at Arctic base Olenya

Ukrainian forces attacked the Russian Olenya airfield in Russia's Murmansk region. A strategic Tu-22M3 bomber was damaged in the operation.

Andriy Yusov, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine representative, said this during the United news telethon.

He called the operation "Olympic achievements of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine."

"We don't comment on what and where, but the Supreme Commander-in-Chief noted the long range; it's not hard to guess the direction. Regarding the fact of the strike, yes, we confirm the incident of the strike. Something hit somewhere," said Yusov.

The representative of Ukrainian intelligence also confirmed the strike and damage to the Russian strategic bomber.

US unveils $200 million aid package for Ukraine

The US has announced a new military aid package worth up to $200 million. Washington also allocates $1.5 billion in long-term support to Kyiv through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative fund.

White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby said this, Voice of America reports.

He noted that as part of this American assistance, Ukraine will receive air defense systems, HIMARS artillery ammunition, mortar shells, and Javelin anti-tank missiles.

It is emphasized that the US Department of Defense provides long-term support through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative Fund to strengthen air defense, anti-tank capabilities, as well as Kyiv's long-range strike capabilities.

At the same time, the Pentagon announced long-term support through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative fund in the amount of $1.5 billion.

The US Department of Defense has released a list of weapons under the new security package:

• Munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS);
• Short- and medium-range air defense munitions;
• RIM-7 missiles for air defense;
• Electronic Warfare equipment;
• Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
• 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds;
• 120mm mortar rounds;
• Precision aerial munitions;
• Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;
• Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems;
• Small arms;
• Explosives material and demolitions equipment and munitions;
• Secure communications systems;
• Commercial satellite imagery services; and
• Spare parts, maintenance and sustainment support, and other ancillary equipment.

The list also includes commercial satellite imagery services, spare parts, maintenance and support, and other ancillary equipment.

Ukrainian forces destroy three Russian tanks in Huliaipole sector in two days

Captain Dmytro Lykhoviy, spokesman for the Tavria grouping of troops, says that after the lull, Russian troops have intensified tank attacks in the Huliaipole sector.

He shared this information on Espreso TV.

“The situation in the Huliaipole sector has changed. After a long period of no Russian attacks, particularly near the town of Huliaipole in the Zaporizhzhia region, the occupying Russian army became more active yesterday. They conducted two assaults, including the use of tanks, which is unprecedented in recent times. It should be noted that this activity is occurring without any signs of a large Russian offensive group. The assaults carried out by Russian troops yesterday involved small forces - about one or two divisions, using two tanks and one buggy,” reported Lykhoviy.

According to him, the Russian army was attacking from the direction of Reshetylivske village. Russian troops retreated after Ukraine's Defense Forces destroyed one of their tanks. 

“This indicates that the calm, stable situation without hostile activity in the Huliaipole sector is over. In such positional battles, when Russia only conducts small-scale assaults with infantry groups, tanks are used like sniper rifles - this has been mentioned many times. That's why I emphasize the audacity of their assault using two tanks,” said the spokesman.

Lykhoviy explained that the use of tanks by the Russian army in the steppe region is disastrous, as they are easily destroyed by drones and artillery from a distance. He added that the assault continued into the morning.

“On the Robotyne ledge, near Mala Tokmachka, which is another hotspot in the Zaporizhzhia region, three more assaults took place without success for Russia. In the Huliaipole sector, two Russian tanks were hit: one was damaged and the other was destroyed. This indicates that while they may have learned from previous mistakes, our statistics show that three tanks were hit, destroyed, or damaged in the Huliaipole sector over two days. This is noteworthy because this direction wasn’t being closely monitored by the General Staff or observers because there had been no active fighting there,” Lykhoviy summarized.

Ukrainian cyber specialists launch attack on Russia's central bank

On July 29, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence cyber specialists targeted the Central Bank of Russia, which supports Russia's war against Ukraine.

According to Ukrinform and Liga.net, this attack began around 11:00 local time, causing the Central Bank’s resources to become either inaccessible or to experience significant disruptions.

The Central Bank of Russia confirmed the cyberattack and noted that its intensity was increasing. Additionally, the attack affected Russian users' ability to access the online services of Zenith Bank and Gazprombank. The situation is further complicated by unstable internet connectivity, as Russia’s largest telecommunications providers are also facing ongoing cyberattacks.

It is noted that the MTS, Russia's largest mobile network operator, has been targeted, leading to a three-day outage of its services.

The Central Bank of the Russian Federation is the main first-tier bank and the central monetary institution in Russia. It oversees and implements national credit policy in collaboration with the government and has the exclusive authority to issue banknotes and regulate financial institutions.

Expert reveals details of Wagner PMC mercenaries' elimination in Mali

Defense Express development director Valerii Riabykh says that based on information from various sources, the Tuareg rebels managed to eliminate over 50 Wagner mercenaries and their leader in Mali.

He said this on Espreso TV.

"The Wagner PMC remains a hybrid tool of the Kremlin. The mercenaries of this PMC perform tasks wherever the Kremlin sends them. In particular, the liquidation of this group continues. Russian sources report that Tuareg rebels in Mali have killed between 20 and 50 mercenaries. Various sources have also reported that the head of this PMC, who became the leader after the deaths of Prigozhin and Utkin, was also eliminated," Riabykh said.

According to the expert, there is information that Wagner's captives are to be handed over to Ukraine.

"The media also reported that the Tuareg rebels managed to capture up to 15 Wagner soldiers. They appealed to Ukraine with a proposal to hand over these Wagner mercenaries as a sign of solidarity, so that they would be punished for their crimes. In particular, not only for crimes in Ukraine, but also around the world," he added.

Germany donates new military aid to Ukraine

On July 29, Germany transferred a new military aid package to Ukraine, which included 8 Leopard tanks, ammunition for Gepards, drones, helmets, and other equipment.

The German government's press service reports.

It is noted that so far, about €5 billion has been spent on military assistance to Ukraine in 2023 and about €1.6 billion in 2022. An additional €2.9 billion were allocated in the first two years of the war for supplies to be delivered in 2025-2028.

The new aid package from Germany includes: 

• 8 Leopard 1 A5 tanks (Germany donated jointly with Denmark);
• 21,000 rounds of ammunition for the Gepards;
• 10 surface drones;
• 2 Bergepanzer armored repair and evacuation vehicles;
• 10 ground surveillance radars;
• 24,800 helmets;
• 1 field hospital.

The funds for the security capacity building initiative for military assistance to Ukraine in 2024 alone amount to approximately €7.1 billion, the ministry emphasized. They also finance Germany's contributions to the European Union's European Peace Fund (EPF). From the EPF, the costs of military assistance to Ukraine can be reimbursed to EU member states. In addition to this, there are authorizations for commitments in the coming years amounting to about €6 billion.