The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has claimed that its Air Force has hit Ukrainian forces in a number of attacks.
These images, obtained from the MoD, purport to show Russian fighter jets in action in Ukraine. The images show fighter jets sporting the now infamous ‘Z’, daubed in white.
The ‘Z’ is one of the symbols, as well as the letters ‘V’ and ‘O’ that can be seen painted on Russian military vehicles taking part in the invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian MoD claimed in a statement obtained on Friday, July 1, that the country’s Air Force had conducted successful operations in Ukraine. They claimed (in English): “High-precision attacks launched by Russian Aerospace Forces have destroyed two command posts, five munitions depots near Ivano-Daryevka, Seversk (Donetsk People’s Republic), Belogorovka (Lugansk People’s Republic), Nikolayev, Lepetikha (Nikolayev region), as well as AFU [Armed Forces of Ukraine] manpower and military equipment in 26 areas.” (sic)
The Russian MoD also claimed: “Within the counter-battery warfare, high-precision attacks launched by Russian Aerospace Forces have neutralized 2 MRLS [Multiple Rocket Launching Systems] platoons and 2 artillery platoons near Lesovka, Selidovo, and Netaylovo that had been shelling the settlements of the Donetsk People’s Republic.
“Operational-tactical and army aviation, missile troops and artillery have neutralized: 32 AFU command posts, 1 radar designed for detecting air targets near Katranka (Odessa region), 3 munitions depots near Spornoye (Donetsk People’s Republic), as well as manpower and military equipment in 297 areas.”
We have not been able to verify the claims or the footage independently.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin still calls a “special military operation.” Today marks the 128th day of the invasion.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between February 24 and July 1, Russia had lost about 35,750 personnel, 1,577 tanks, 3,736 armored combat vehicles, 796 artillery units, 246 multiple launch rocket systems, 105 air defense systems, 217 warplanes, 186 helicopters, 645 drones, 143 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 2,610 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 61 units of special equipment.
According to regional governor Maksym Marchenko, a missile strike on the outskirts of Odesa has killed at least 18 people, including two children, with over 30 people hospitalized.
Ukrainian Brigadier General Oleksii Hromov has said that Russia is using inaccurate missiles from old Soviet stockpiles in over half of its strikes on the country.
Ukraine’s top brass has said that they have forced the Russians to abandon Snake Island and have derided Kremlin officials for claiming that they left as a “gesture of goodwill.” Ukraine’s military added that the Russians had fled the island in speedboats after being hit by a barrage of missile strikes and artillery.
The situation in the eastern Ukrainian city of Lysychansk has been described as “extremely difficult,” with Russian shelling making it impossible for civilians to evacuate.
British foreign secretary Liz Truss has said that pushing Russian forces out of Ukraine completely was a “realistic” ambition and justification for providing additional weapons.
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has said that a new “iron curtain” is appearing between Russia and the West.
Russia accused Norway of disrupting critical supplies from being delivered to Svalbard on Wednesday, June 29, threatening to retaliate. But Norway said that it was not blocking access to the archipelago in the Arctic, stating that it was only applying international sanctions and that the Russians had other ways of getting there.
Russia has mining operations in the archipelago, which lies near Greenland.
NATO leaders have called Russia “the most significant and direct threat to allies’ security and stability,” and announced a new “strategic concept” in response to President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
NATO is planning to boost its quick reaction forces from 40,000 troops to over 300,000 troops.
President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. will increase its military forces across Europe.
NATO has also formally invited Sweden and Finland to become members of the alliance. The move comes after Turkey agreed to support Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said Sweden and Finland will formally sign the NATO accession protocol on Tuesday.
Turkey had initially opposed the countries’ bids to join the military alliance, accusing both of harboring Kurdish militants. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson at the NATO summit in Madrid, and the three countries reached an agreement.
President Erdogan has since said that Turkey could still block Finland and Sweden from joining the alliance if they failed to meet his expectations to extradite people designated by Turkey as suspected terrorists.
