UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, July 30 — In the Kharkiv region, near Hlyboke, Russian troops have started using hunting shotguns to counter unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, reported the press service of the “Kharkiv” group of forces.

Russia started its new offensive north and northeast in the Kharkiv region in May, but Ukrainian troops have stabilized the frontline in this section since. Now, heavy battles are ongoing in and around Vovchansk (three miles from the border, 46 miles away from Kharkiv) and near Lyptsi (six miles from the border, 12 miles from Kharkiv.)

According to the press service, near Hlyboke and Vovchansk, the Russian army is replenishing the current shortage of assault groups, researching possible routes of advance, and using UAVs.

The military also noted that the Russian army is using K-51 aerosol grenades in the Kharkiv region.

In total, over the past day, the Russian military conducted 11 air strikes using 23 glide bombs (KABs) against the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the Kharkiv direction. The Russian army also launched 44 kamikaze drones and fired 496 times at the positions of the Ukrainian military.

Also, in the Kharkiv direction, Ukrainian troops killed 123 Russian army troops. One Russian soldier surrendered. The Ukrainian military destroyed 47 pieces of Russian equipment, including ten artillery systems, 16 vehicles, five units of special equipment, and 16 UAVs.

The Ukrainian army also destroyed 57 Russian shelters for personnel, one UAV launch pad, one ammunition storage point, and one logistics point.

UPD from July 31, 11:02 a.m.: Mistranslation in the headline and lead paragraph fixed: it’s hunting shotguns, not hunting rifles.

Read more

  • The Russian army continues combat actions in the Kharkiv direction. In total, there were six attacks over the past day, reported the General Staff.