Victorious news on 638th day of  war: Russia suffer losses near Bakhmut,  Europol to deal with Russian war criminals

Ukrainian Armed Forces attack in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions

Ukrainian troops are attacking on the left bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson region, as well as in the Melitopol direction, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian defenders continue offensive actions in the Melitopol direction. At the same time, Russian military bloggers claimed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces were attacking the Robotyne-Verbove line.

In the eastern (left-bank) part of Kherson region, Ukrainian forces maintain their positions and conduct attacks. Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets reported activity west of Oleshky.

Russian infantry destroyed by Russian mines

Near Bakhmut, the enemy is driving the infantry through its own minefields and mines the escape routes so that the Russian forces do not retreat. The Russian forces are suffering heavy losses. This was reported by Denys Nahornyi, Chief of Staff of the Artillery of the 4th Rubizh Brigade of the National Guard, on Espreso TV

"In the Bakhmut sector, the enemy is sending infantry in waves, without sparing them. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have moved to positional defense because the weather has deteriorated. The enemy is trying to put pressure on our logistics, and the shelling of Ukrainian defenders' positions has intensified. Despite our counter-battery fight, the enemy has increased the use of Lancet drones and is also carrying out mining. The Russian enemy is throwing their own cannon fodder at our infantry," emphasized Nahornyi.

According to the chief of artillery staff, Russian commanders are simply driving human resources to the positions of the Ukrainian army.

"The Russian forces are not able to logistically support the number of people they have gathered. The enemy assault and digging groups are starting to go crazy. They are running through their own mined fields. The Russian forces have already gone so far as to mine the escape routes so that their infantry cannot retreat during the assault, and they put machine gunners behind them. Despite their own losses, the enemy continues to attack," added Nahornyi.

Europol will help investigate Russian war crimes

Europol has set up an Operational Taskforce (OTF) to assist in the investigation of war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine.

It will identify suspects and their involvement in alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity or crimes of genocide. Identification will be carried out by collecting and analyzing information from open sources. Europol's website notes that the Internet, in particular social media, has a huge amount of data that can significantly help investigators. 

The group is led by the international crime units of the Dutch and German police. In total, 14 countries are participating in the project: Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Ukraine receives $400 million for healthcare professionals

Ukraine has received $400 million under the guarantee of the United Kingdom through the World Bank Trust Fund. The funds will be used to partially offset state budget expenditures

The press service of the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine reports that the money will be used to pay pensions and salaries to healthcare workers under the medical guarantee program.

Minister of Finance Serhii Marchenko said that the assistance from partners is critically important for financing the social sphere of Ukraine.

"I am grateful to the UK government and the World Bank team for the productive cooperation which has resulted in the mobilization of the necessary financial resources. I would also like to thank the UK for its intention to maintain direct budget support for Ukraine next year," Marchenko said.

Latvia supports the start of negotiations on Ukraine's EU membership

The Latvian Saeima has unanimously supported the start of negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the European Union. 

"Latvia has a special responsibility to remind its partners in the EU how important it is to strengthen support for those societies that stand for freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights," said Edmunds Cepurītis, chairman of the Saeima's European Affairs Committee.

In the statement, the deputies call on other member states to support the European Commission's recommendations and approve the start of accession negotiations by the end of this year.