Victorious news of 498th day of war: Ukrainian forces occupy strategic heights near Klishchiivka, destroy missile depots in Makiivka, Finland to provide more anti-aircraft weapons

Ukrainian Armed Forces have almost won the 'keys to Bakhmut'

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have occupied strategic heights near Klishchiivka, which is also known as the 'keys to Bakhmut.' Andriy Babichev, a soldier with the 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Brigade, reported on the success of our military in this area. According to him, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are advancing on three fronts: Orikhiv and Vasylivka, Berkhivka and Khromove, but the biggest success is in the direction of Klishchiivka.

"For several weeks now bloody fighting has been going on in the Bakhmut sector on three fronts. The first one is in the direction of Orikhiv and Vasylivka, where the road to Sloviansk runs. We are making progress there, but the enemy is counterattacking us strongly. Thanks to our aviation, fighters and helicopters, we are making small progress. The main thing is that we are holding the highway and gnawing it away from the invaders. The second front is the direction of Berkhivka and Khromove, where we have made good progress towards Berkhivka. There are about 800 meters to the streets of this settlement. We have suspended our efforts in Khromove because the Russian troops have set up defenses in the forest belt. But we are practicing everything correctly and moving forward," said a soldier with the 93rd Brigade.

"Next we have Klishchiivka, where we are having even more success, where we occupy strategically important heights. There are less than 400 meters to the streets of this village. The fighting is slow because the delay is due to the enemy's dense mining of the area. In addition, the Russian forces continue to mine remotely, firing shells that scatter anti-personnel mines. Russian troops also make extensive use of FPV (First Person View) drones, hitting our equipment. However, the initiative is on our side, we are attacking and moving forward," he said.

Ukraine returned 45 prisoners of war and two deported children

On July 6, Ukraine returned 45 people from Russian captivity. Among them are 43 military personnel, a civilian employee of Azovstal, and a territorial defense fighter from Kherson.

Head of the Ukrainian President's Office Andriy Yermak reported this. 

"We are bringing back the defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal. There are wounded soldiers. There are also soldiers from Donetsk, including Bakhmut, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv," Yermak wrote.

In addition, we managed to return two deported children to Ukraine: 6-year-old Renat and 10-year-old Varvara.

"Their mother, a combat medic, was released during a major exchange in October 2022. She and her husband have long been waiting for the return of their children, whom Russia illegally deported in an attempt to cover up the abduction," Yermak wrote.

A large Russian warehouse with missiles and shells was destroyed in Makiivka 

Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar confirmed a successful strike by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on occupied Makiivka, a spectacular video of which was previously posted by the local Donetchanyn Telegram channel.

"I can tell you more about the hit in Makiivka. This is a vivid example of the effective work of Ukrainian artillerymen who delivered the fire and aerial reconnaissance men who adjusted the strike. A really large warehouse was destroyed, where a significant number of artillery shells and missiles for BM-21 Grad MLRS were stored," Maliar wrote.

Finland approved 17th aid package for Ukraine

Finnish President Sauli Niinistö has approved a new military aid package for Ukraine, which includes air defense equipment and ammunition, based on the government's proposal. 

The 17th shipment of defense aid from Finland to Ukraine reportedly includes, among other things, more anti-aircraft weapons and ammunition. The value of the package is estimated at EUR 105 million. The value of all defense equipment packages provided by Finland to Ukraine is now about EUR 1.2 billion.

"We will continue to support Ukraine together with our allies. The outcome of the war will determine the security order of Europe and Finland for decades, so supporting Ukraine is also an integral part of Finland's security," commented Defense Minister Antti Häkkänen.

Zelenskyy signed declaration of support for Ukraine's NATO membership in Bulgaria

On July 6, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a declaration of support for Ukraine's membership in NATO. During the meeting in Sofia, the leaders of Ukraine and Bulgaria discussed defense support, Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration, the NATO summit, security guarantees, and the implementation of the Peace Formula.

Ukraine and Bulgaria signed a joint declaration, which became the 22nd document supporting Ukraine's membership in NATO, Ihor Zhovkva, deputy head of the Presidential Administration, wrote on Facebook.

Document clearly shows that Bulgaria supports Ukraine's membership in NATO as soon as conditions allow.

The joint declaration states that Bulgaria recognizes that Ukraine's membership in NATO is the only way to ensure a sufficient level of security for both Ukraine and the entire Euro-Atlantic family.