**Ukraine Denies Russian Claims of Breakthrough in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast**
Russia’s latest claims of a breakthrough into Ukraine’s central-eastern region have been denied by the Ukrainian military. According to a statement released on July 2, a small Russian reconnaissance group managed to briefly enter the village of Dachne, located on the edge of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. However, Ukrainian forces “eliminated them” and repelled their attempt.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine dismissed Russian claims of territorial gains as disinformation, saying that a recent small incursion was repelled. They also accused Russian troops of launching repeated assaults on the administrative border between Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts in eastern Ukraine, but with no success.
**Russian Claims Refuted**
The Ukrainian military statement refuted another Russian claim of breaking through into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, saying that the Russian propaganda about the seizure of a bridgehead in the region is not true. The village of Dachne remains under the control of Ukrainian Defense Forces.
This is not the first time Russian claims have been discredited. In May, a photo purporting to show Russian troops at the border of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast near the village of Novomykolaivka was revealed as fake by Ukrainian officials and monitoring groups.
**Escalation on Multiple Fronts**
Russian forces have stepped up offensive operations across multiple sectors of the front line in recent weeks. Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, said that Russia has the capacity to launch as many as 500 Iranian-designed Shahed attack drones at Ukraine in a single attack, but doing so on a daily basis is not possible.
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 114 Shahed-type and decoy drones overnight from multiple directions, as well as four S-300 missiles. Air defenses shot down 40 drones, while 39 disappeared from radars or were intercepted by electronic warfare.
**International Support**
Ukraine’s military is relying on international support to counter the Russian aggression. The country has been seeking more advanced weaponry and aid from its Western allies. However, some countries, such as Germany, have been hesitant to provide certain systems, citing complexity and training requirements.
The deployment of advanced weapons systems to Ukraine would be crucial in helping the country defend itself against Russia’s attacks. Ukrainian officials have warned that any delay or hesitation in supporting their defense capabilities will only encourage Russia to continue war and terror rather than pursue peace.
**Other Developments**
In other news, Russian forces likely executed another Ukrainian prisoner of war (POW), according to Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. The number of casualties suffered by Russian forces just over the past day has also been reported at 1,110.
The situation remains tense and volatile, with both sides continuing to exchange fire and accusations. The international community is closely watching the developments in Ukraine, with many countries calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
