The Russian occupation forces are focusing their main efforts on five areas - Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Maryinka. Heavy fighting continues there.

About 20 combat engagements took place in these areas over the last day. This is stated in the evening report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 7 July 2023.

The situation has not changed in the Volyn and Polissya directions, and there are no signs of the formation of offensive groups. Units of the Armed Forces of Belarus are performing tasks in the areas bordering Ukraine.

The enemy maintains military presence in the Siversky and Slobozhansky directions. The enemy launched an air strike near Vilshana, Kharkiv region. The occupiers also fired mortar and artillery shells at more than 15 settlements, including Popivka in Chernihiv region; Krasnopillia in Sumy region; and Okip, Neskuchne, Vovchansk, Budarky and Rublenne in Kharkiv region.

In the Kupyansk sector, the invaders conducted unsuccessful offensive actions in the areas of Novoselivske and Stelmakhivka in the Luhansk region. Our soldiers are steadfastly holding the defence and repelled all enemy attacks. Artillery and mortar attacks by the Russian occupiers came to Kolodyazne, Novomlynsk, Dvorichne, Zakhidne, Masiutivka, Kupyansk and Kyslivka in Kharkiv region.

In the Lyman sector, the occupants conducted assault operations and tried to force Ukrainian defenders from their positions in the area northwest of Berestove, Luhansk region, but were unsuccessful. At the same time, the enemy launched air strikes near Bilohorivka in Luhansk region and Spirne in Donetsk region. More than 10 settlements came under artillery fire, including Nevske and Bilohorivka in Luhansk region and Vesele and Rozdolivka in Donetsk region.

In the Bakhmut direction, the invaders attacked the areas of Bohdanivka, Oleksandro-Shultine, Bila Gora and Pivnichne from the air. More than 15 localities suffered from enemy artillery shelling, including Vasyukivka, Markove, Bohdanivka, Khromove, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Oleksandr-Shultine and Pivdenne in Donetsk Oblast.

In the Avdiivka sector, the occupiers, supported by aviation, carried out unsuccessful offensives in the areas of Novokalynove, Avdiivka and Nevelske in the Donetsk region. The enemy also shelled over 15 localities with artillery, including Keramik, Zhelane, Avdiivka, Siversne, Karlivka, Pervomayske and Nevelske in the Donetsk region.

In the Maryinka sector, under hostile artillery fire, the Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled all attacks in the area of Maryinka. At the same time, the enemy launched an air strike near Krasnohorivka, Donetsk region. The occupiers also fired at the settlements of Krasnohorivka, Maryinka and Peremoha in the Donetsk region.

In the Shakhtarsk sector, Putin's army tried to advance in the Blahodatny district of Donetsk region. The enemy launched an air strike near Velyka Novosilka. The occupiers also shelled more than 15 settlements, including Novomykhailivka, Yelizavetivka, Bohoyavlenka, Vuhledar, Zolota Niva and Severne in Donetsk region.

In the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions, the invaders are on the defensive and are trying to prevent further advance of our troops. The enemy shelled more than 20 localities, including Novodarivka, Levadne, Malynivka, Huliaipol, Zaliznychne, Zaporizhzhia region; Lviv, Tokarivka, Antonivka, Hromadne, Kyzomys, Kherson region and the city of Kherson.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Defence Forces continue to conduct offensive operations on the Melitopol and Berdiansk directions, consolidating their positions, inflicting artillery fire on the identified enemy targets, and conducting counter-battery operations.

At the same time, against the backdrop of successful combat operations of the Ukrainian Defence Forces and due to significant losses of the occupiers, the number of refusals to participate in combat operations has increased in Russian troops. For example, near the village of Rozivka in Zaporizhzhia region, about 20 Russian soldiers refused to perform combat missions on the front lines. They were then taken into custody and moved to the building of the Rozovka District Court.

Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian aviation struck 6 times at enemy concentration areas, 2 times at anti-aircraft missile systems and 1 time at an enemy command post. Our defenders also destroyed 2 reconnaissance UAVs of operational and tactical level.

In addition, missile and artillery units hit the control centre, 7 artillery pieces at firing positions and the occupiers' electronic warfare station over the day.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Russian war criminals in the Donetsk sector have once again resorted to the use of chemical munitions against Ukrainian defenders. For example, near Bakhmut, the occupiers dropped chemical asphyxiating agent shells on Ukrainian positions.

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