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Russia’s war in Ukraine
By Kathleen Magramo, Sophie Tanno, Aditi Sangal, Caolán Magee, Matt Meyer, Elise Hammond and Tori B. Powell, CNN
From CNN’s Radina Gigova, Antonia Mortensen and Jessie Gretener
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki warned Thursday of “further provocations and intrigues” that may arise from the other side of his country’s eastern border with Belarus and Russia, amid growing tensions between Warsaw and Minsk.
On July 29, Morawiecki said more than 100 Wagner mercenaries have moved toward a thin strip of land between Poland and Lithuania, known as the Suwalki gap or corridor, and that this was “a step towards a further hybrid attack on Polish territory.” Morawiecki also said Wagner mercenaries may try to pose as migrants in order to cross from Belarus into Poland.
On Thursday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko denied Poland’s claims that about 100 of the fighters have moved closer to the Polish border and said Warsaw should “thank him” for “inviting these fighters to our place,” because “otherwise, without us, they would have infiltrated there.”
Belarus and Poland both summoned their respective ambassadors on Tuesday, after Poland alleged two Belarusian helicopters had violated its airspace. Poland announced it will increase the number of soldiers along its border with Belarus because of the alleged violation.
Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blasczak also warned of further provocations from Belarus and said the recent “hybrid attacks” are “coordinated in the Kremlin.” He claimed the goal of these attacks is to destabilize Poland, and the country is increasing its forces on the border with Belarus to prevent that destabilization.
From CNN’s Mariya Knight
Russia carried out offensive actions along the entire eastern front line Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Zelensky listed the cities of Kupyansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Marinka and Avdiivka — which dot the eastern front from north to south — as among the most contested frontline areas. He said fighting is also heavy on the southern front.
Ukrainian commander Maksym Zhorin said Thursday that “extremely difficult daily battles are taking place near Bakhmut,” adding that experienced Russian units are being sent there to stop the Ukrainian advance.
Zhorin said Russia still considers the battered eastern city an important area that “can be used to launch an offensive.”
Iranian drones: Zelensky also said Russia has attacked Ukraine with a total of 1,961 Iranian-made drones since Moscow invaded his country in February 2022, adding that “a significant number of them have been shot down.”
In late July, US intelligence officials warned that Russia is building a drone-manufacturing facility in the country with Iran’s help that could have a significant impact on the war once completed.
From CNN’s Tim Lister, Julia Kesaieva and Olga Voitovych
A week after US officials said Ukraine was deploying extra troops to its counteroffensive, movement is limited on the southern front lines with fighting concentrated in two parts of Zaporizhzhia region, according to available videos and statements from official sources.
At the same time, Ukrainian officials continue to cool expectations for the progress of the operation, while Russian-appointed officials in the occupied south claimed that Ukrainian attempts to break through Russian military lines have been defeated.
Pro-Russian Telegram channels have posted images and video of destroyed Ukrainian armor, though it’s unclear when and exactly where the equipment was struck.
But Ukrainian forces have struggled to breach layers of Russian defenses as tank traps and minefields slow their advance. One Ukrainian official described the density of mines as “insane” on Wednesday.
The Ukrainian military said one Russian position in the Zaporizhzhia sector had been eliminated, along with an ammunition depot.
Around the Bakhmut area, the Ukrainians have not reported any further progress but have posted video of the targeting of Russian positions.
The Ukrainians have also posted video of additional Zuzana self-propelled artillery systems provided by Slovakia.
Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander of Ukrainian Land Forces, posted on Telegram that a “gradual advance continues” in the Bakhmut area.
Read more here.
From CNN’s Paul P. Murphy
A satellite image shows black smoke still rising from the site of a purported Russian drone strike on port infrastructure in southwestern Ukraine, more than 24 hours after Ukrainian authorities reported the attack.
The image, taken Thursday morning by the company BlackSky, shows the smoke rising in a port area along the Danube River in the city of Izmail, near the border with Romania. It appears four large tanks were hit.
Ukraine’s defense ministry said Wednesday that overnight drone strikes were responsible for damage to the port. It’s located near the larger port city of Odesa, which has been pummeled by Russian attacks after Moscow pulled out of the Black Sea grain deal.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said recent strikes on the Odesa region’s port infrastructure are an attack on “global food security” and has called on the international community to intervene.
The Danube port attack also earned strong condemnation from the Romanian president, given its proximity to his country’s territory. Romania is part of NATO.
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