Ukrainian troops destroy entire Russian artillery division hiding in the woods

The Ukrainian military said they destroyed eight units of 152-mm ‘Msta-B’ 2A65 howitzers, vehicle equipment, ammunition, and strongholds of the Russian Armed Forces.

Command of the Airborne Assault Troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on 22nd July: “Artillery of the DSHV and SV of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed the artillery division of 152-mm howitzers ‘Msta-B’ 2A65 personnel, equipment and BC of the Russian occupiers.

“The video recorded successful fire missions of the artillery units of the Airborne Assault and Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“Thanks to a clear and coordinated assault, the howitzer artillery division was destroyed – 8 units of 152-mm ‘Msta-B’ 2A65 howitzers and personnel of the division, automobile equipment, ammunition and fortifications of the Russian occupiers.”

The Ukrainian military added: “Death to the Russian invaders! Together to victory! Glory to Ukraine!”

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 149th day of the invasion.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 22nd July, Russia had lost about 39,000 personnel, 1,704 tanks, 3,920 armoured combat vehicles, 863 artillery units, 251 multiple launch rocket systems, 113 air defence systems, 221 warplanes, 188 helicopters, 713 drones, 167 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 2,781 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 72 units of special equipment.

MI6 head Richard Moore said on 21st July that the Russian military was likely to start an operational pause in Ukraine in the coming weeks, giving Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy's forces an opportunity to strike back.

But UK intelligence also said Russian forces appeared to be closing in on the Vuhlehirska coal-fuelled thermal power station in Svitlodarsk, Donetsk Oblast, in Moscow's push to seize critical infrastructure and take more Ukrainian territory.

Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov reported on 21st July that Russia had shelled one of the most densely populated areas of Ukraine's second city, with the provincial prosecutor's office reporting three dead and 23 wounded in the strikes.

CIA director William Burns said on 20th July that Washington estimated around 15,000 Russian military fatalities in Ukraine thus far, in addition to some 45,000 wounded, with corresponding Ukrainian figures also significant.

Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres will sign a deal today (22nd July) to resume the export of grain from Ukraine's Black Sea ports, according to the office of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Meanwhile, an EU proposal that member states cut gas use by 15 per cent in preparation for potential supply cuts from Russia has met resistance from individual governments, casting doubt on whether the emergency plan will be approved.

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