Russians focus on 5 directions, about 30 combat clashes take place in one day — General Staff

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports this in the morning summary.

"The enemy is focusing its main efforts in several directions: Kupyansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Marinka. In the past day, there were approximately 30 combat clashes," the message says.

Russians launched 78 airstrikes and 69 MLRS attacks against Ukraine 

During the last 24 hours, Russia launched a massive air and missile attack on Ukraine. They used 16 Kalibr sea-based cruise missiles, 8 Kh-22 cruise missiles, 6 Oniks cruise missiles, 1 Kh-59 guided air missile, and 32 Shahed attack UAVs. However, the Ukrainian Air Defense Forces successfully destroyed 13 Kalibr cruise missiles, 1 Kh-59 guided air missile, and 23 Shahed attack UAVs.

Furthermore, the enemy conducted 78 airstrikes and 69 MLRS attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops and civilian areas.

Situation in different regions of Ukraine 

On the northern Ukrainian border with Belarus, the operational situation has not changed. Certain units of the Armed Forces of Belarus perform tasks in the areas bordering Ukraine.

On the northeastern border with Russia, Russian troops launched air strikes on one settlement in the Chernihiv region. They also launched mortar and artillery attacks, targeting a total of over 20 settlements across Chernihiv, Sumy and Kharkiv regions.

In the Kupyansk direction, Russian troops shelled 5 settlements across the Kharkiv region. One area suffered from air strikes and Russian offensive actions. Ukrainian forces hold the defense, while Russians try to advance. 

In the Lyman direction, Russian troops shelled 6 settlements across the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Six areas were subjected to air strikes.  

In the Bakhmut direction, Russians shelled over 10 settlements in the Donetsk region with artillery. Ukrainian forces successfully repelled Russian attacks in the area of Bohdanivka. One area was subjected to air strikes. 

In the Avdiivka direction, Russian troops shelled over 10 settlements with artillery, and Avdiivka suffered from air strikes. Ukrainian forces repelled all the attacks. 

In the Marinka direction, Russian troops shelled over 10 settlements in the Donetsk region with artillery. Ukrainian forces hold the defense. 

In the Shakhtarsk direction, Russian troops shelled over 10 settlements and launched air strikes near 4 settlements.  

In Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions, Russian troops  tried to advance near Priyutne, but unsuccessfully. They shelled over 20 settlements across Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. 

Meanwhile, the Defense Forces of Ukraine continue their offensive operation in Melitopol and Berdyansk directions. They are holding their positions and countering enemy attacks.

Ukrainian forces hit 4 Russian positions, two anti-aircraft defense systems, and one EW station

In response, the Ukrainian military carried out 7 strikes on areas with enemy personnel concentration and successfully destroyed 2 reconnaissance UAVs of operational-tactical level.

Throughout the day, the Ukrainian missile forces and artillery targeted 4 areas with enemy manpower, weapons, and military equipment, an ammunition depot, 11 artillery pieces in firing positions, 2 anti-aircraft defense equipment, and an enemy EW station.

• On the night of July 20, Russia launched attacks on several regions in the south and east of Ukraine. Explosions were reported in Sumy and Odesa regions, and a residential building in Mykolaiv caught fire, resulting in fatalities and at least 18 injuries.