The 523rd day of the Russia-Ukraine War: official operational information by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on 31.07.2023.
Russian offensive actions and impact on civilians
During the day, the Russian army launched 9 missile strikes and 39 airstrikes, as well as 35 artillery barrages using rocket systems against the positions of Ukrainian troops and civilian settlements. Unfortunately, there were casualties and injuries among the civilian population, including children. Residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure have been damaged.
The probability of carrying out rocket and aviation strikes by Russian troops across Ukraine remains high.
Within the day, approximately 30 armed conflicts occurred.
Intensified frontline clashes and epicenters of conflict
- The operational situation in the Volyn and Polissia directions remains relatively stable without significant changes. There are no signs of Russia’s forming offensive groupings in these areas.
- In the Siversk and Slobozhansk directions, the Russian army conducted an aviation strike in the areas of Stepne in Sumy Oblast and Udiv in Kharkiv Oblast. It also carried out mortar and artillery shelling on more than 30 settlements, including Senkivka, Turia, Bleshnia, Buchky in Chernihiv Oblast; Mefodiyivka, Sytne, Starykove, Mohrytsia, Stepok, Ryasne in Sumy Oblast; Udy, Veterynarne, Starytsia, Vovchansk, Nesterne, and Budarky in Kharkiv Oblast.
- In the Kupiansk direction, Ukrainian soldiers are holding their defense steadfastly and successfully repelled Russian attacks east of Berestove in Kharkiv Oblast and near Novoselivske in Luhansk Oblast. The Russian army launched an aviation strike in the area of Druzhelubivka in Donetsk Oblast and carried out artillery and mortar shelling on more than 10 settlements, including Odradne, Kolodyazne, Kamyanka, Fiholivka, Novomlynske, and Zapadne in Kharkiv Oblast.
- In the Lyman direction, the Russian army conducted aviation strikes north of Serebrianka and near Spirne in Donetsk Oblast. Settlements like Nevske, Bilohorivka in Luhansk Oblast, and Torske, Verkhniokamianske, and Spirne in Donetsk Oblast were subjected to artillery shelling.
- In the Bakhmut direction, more than 10 settlements suffered from Russian artillery shelling, including Rozdolivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Hryhorivka, Ivanivske, Predtechyne, and Bila Hora in Donetsk Oblast.
- In the Avdiivka direction, Russian troops launched aviation strikes in the areas of New York and Avdiivka. They continue to shell settlements, including Berdychiv, Avdiivka, Pervomaiske, and Karlivka in Donetsk Oblast.
- In the Marinka direction, the Russian army conducted an aviation strike in the area of Krasnohorivka. The Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to hold back the advance of Russian troops in the areas of Marinka and Pobeda. The Russian army carried out artillery shelling on several settlements, including Marinka, Pobeda, Georgiivka, and Hostre in Donetsk Oblast.
- In the Shakhtarsk direction, Russian soldiers launched aviation strikes in the areas of Vuhledar, Blahodatne, and Staromaiorsk. In the latter area, they made unsuccessful attempts to regain lost ground. They also continue to shell settlements like Vodyane, Vuhledar, and Blahodatne in Donetsk Oblast.
- In the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions, the Russian army concentrates its main efforts on preventing further advancement of Ukrainian troops. Russian soldiers carried out aviation strikes in the areas of Malynivka and Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. More than 35 settlements, including Levadne, Huliaypole, Zaliznychne, Orikhiv, Stepove, and Kamianske in Zaporizhzhia Oblast; Dmytrivka and Ochakiv in Mykolaiv Oblast; Mykhailivka, Dudchany, Beryslav, Lvove, Kherson, and Dniprovske in Kherson Oblast, were subjected to artillery shelling.
At the same time, the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue their offensive operation in the Melitopol and Berdiansk directions, consolidating their positions at achieved front lines, delivering effective artillery strikes on identified Russian targets, and implementing counter-battery measures.
Russian troops persist in using civilian infrastructure in temporarily occupied settlements. For instance, they have deployed around 100 Russian military personnel in the buildings of a miners’ health resort in Nyzhniy Naholchyk, Luhansk Oblast, and more than 100 Russian soldiers have been stationed in educational institutions in the settlement of Semykozivka, Luhansk Oblast.
Ukrainian countermeasures
During the day, Ukrainian aviation conducted 7 strikes on the areas of Russian personnel, weapons, and military equipment concentration, as well as 3 strikes on Russian anti-aircraft missile complexes.
Units of missile troops and artillery have successfully targeted 2 of Russian anti-aircraft missile complexes, a heavy flamethrower system TOS-1A Solntsepek, an artillery piece on a firing position, and 4 areas of personnel concentration of the Russian army.
Source: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
See also: General Staff operational report July 30, 2023 on the Russian invasion of Ukraine
