Victorious news of 509th day of war: Crimea bridge damage, Ukrainian military gains in Bakhmut 

Explosions occurred on the Crimean bridge

In the morning of July 17, explosions were heard on the Crimean bridge, after which the occupation authorities declared an "emergency" and accused the Ukrainian military of the attack. Damage to the roadway was found on the spans.

Andriy Yusov, spokesman for the Main Intelligence Directorate, said that the intelligence does not comment on the causes of the events on the Crimean bridge: "Now the whole world is witnessing many kilometers of traffic jams and damaged bridge structures. As for additional comments on the reasons for this, we do not comment. We can only quote the words of the Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov that "the Crimean bridge is a redundant structure there."

The Ukrainian Security Service also responded to the events in Crimea: "Nightingale, my dear brother, the bridge has gone to sleep again. But once... twice! P.S.: The music is folk. The words are by the SBU."

Later, the SBU promised to make public all the details of the attack after the victory. "In the meantime, we are watching with interest how one of the symbols of Putin's regime has once again failed to withstand the military load," the special service added.

Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated over 30 km² of Ukrainian territory in Bakhmut sector

Since the beginning of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' counteroffensive in the Bakhmut sector, the military have liberated an area of more than 30 km². In the Melitopol and Berdiansk sectors, almost 180 km² of Ukrainian land were de-occupied.

This was reported by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. 

Over the past week, there have been some successes in these areas every day. In recent days alone, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have liberated almost 11 km² of territory in the south near Melitopol and Berdiansk in the Zaporizhzhia region.

The Defense Forces also de-occupied about 7 km² of Ukrainian land south of the city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region.

Hyundai to join the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine

Hyundai Engineering & Construction announced this on July 17, The Korea Herald reports.

According to the agreement that the company has signed with Boryspil Airport, Hyundai E&C will restore the runways and build a new cargo terminal. The company is currently conducting a feasibility study for the cargo terminal.

Hyundai E&C said it will use its technology and experience gained through participation in construction projects at Incheon International Airport, Singapore Changi Airport, and Chinchero International Airport in Peru.

All construction works will begin after the war with Russia ends.

Britain imposed sanctions on Russian officials

On Monday, July 17, the UK government imposed new sanctions against Russian individuals involved in the illegal deportation of children from Ukraine.

This was reported on the UK government's website.

“The Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly has announced 14 new sanctions in response to Russia’s attempts to destroy Ukrainian national identity, including 11 against those involved in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children,” the press release says.

In particular, London has imposed restrictions on Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova and Education Minister Sergey Kravtsov.

In addition, two Russian propagandists responsible for disseminating information aimed at inciting violence and hatred against the Ukrainian people were subject to new sanctions. Among them is Anton Krasovsky, a former Russia Today host who claimed live on air that Ukrainian children should be drowned and burned.

A rare Russian 2S4 Tyulpan mortar was destroyed in the Bakhmut sector

Mykola Volokhov, commander of the Terra aerial reconnaissance unit, said the Ukrainian forces destroyed a rare Russian 2S4 Tyulpan mortar in the Bakhmut sector using Himars MLRS.

He said this live on air of the Espreso TV channel.

"I would like to report good news from our sector. We managed to destroy a Russian 2S4 Tyulpan heavy mortar. This is a fairly rare piece of equipment, and the Russians do not have many of these systems. In particular, we managed to destroy this mortar with the help of an aerial reconnaissance unit of the 3rd Assault Brigade. We watched it for a very long time and tried to catch it. This mortar was hit with the help of Himars MLRS," said Volokhov.

The commander of the Terra aerial reconnaissance unit added that the Defense Forces continue to advance in the Bakhmut sector.

AFU targeted two important TOS-1A Solntsepyok heavy flamethrowers

This was reported by the AFU General Staff. 

The aviation launched 5 strikes on the invading Russian forces' military positions. 

Within a day, Ukrainian defenders destroyed 3 enemy Shahed-136 attack drones.

Over the day, Ukrainian missile and artillery units also targeted an area where Russian personnel were concentrated, two TOS-1A Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower systems, 22 artillery pieces at firing positions, a munitions depot and an electronic warfare station.