Victory Chronicles-DAY 1219

Russian forces have been stopped in the northern border areas of Sumy Oblast and the front line there has stabilized after recent clashes, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, has confirmed.

Ukrainian units are actively employing mobile defense tactics of and are gradually reclaiming territory in the border zone. On the Northern Slobozhanshchyna and Kursk fronts, Ukrainian forces have managed to tie down around 50,000 Russian troops, including elite airborne and naval infantry brigades, further blunting Moscow’s ability to rotate or reinforce its offensive operations there..

Notably, Ukrainian counterattacks in Russia’s Glushkovo district across the border in Kursk Oblast, forced Russian troops to divert resources to defend their own territory. This, according to Syrskyi, significantly weakened Russia’s main strike grouping near Sumy.

In response to the threat incursions, Ukraine has established a dedicated defense group to safeguard Sumy region’s cities and communities. Immediate priorities include reinforcing fortifications, expanding engineering barriers, and appointing an official to oversee local defense preparations.

Ukraine to receive 42 million euros ($45.5 million) to repair Chornobyl shelter damaged by Russia. International donors have pledged about $45.5 million to help Ukraine restore the New Safe Confinement structure over the dormant nuclear area of Chornobyl’s damaged reactor that washit by a Russian drone strike on Feb. 14. France, the United Kingdom, and the European Commission will contribute 10.6 million euros ($11.4 million ), 6.9 million euros ($7.4 million), and 25 million euros ($27 million), respectively. An additional 5 million euros ($5.4 million) will go toward damage assessment and temporary repairs under a grant agreement. The funding was announced at a June 25 donor assembly at the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development headquarters in London. Officials say final repair costs could exceed the current budget.

Mykolayiv: Dormashyna plant partially collapses after prior Russian strike

A section of the Dormashyna plant building, known for producing road construction and maintenance equipment, in Mykolaiv, previously damaged in a Russian drone attack on February 16 , collapsed on June 26.

The plant, located on Tsentralnyi Avenue, is part of the region’s infrastructure. Though temporary stabilization measures were implemented after the strike, the weakened structure gave way, prompting emergency services to cordon off the area. First responders and structural engineers are currently assessing the site. No casualties have been reported. 

Roman Vozniak, head of the city’s civil protection department, said initial safety measures had been taken after the February strike to allow safe passage near the site. However, due to significant structural weakening, a partial collapse occurred.

Ukrainian MiG-29 pilot shoots down Shahed drone in nighttime operation

Ukrainian fighter pilot Denfix, serving with the Sevastopol Tactical Aviation Brigade under the West Air Command has shot down another Russian Shahed drone during a nighttime combat mission, the Ukrainian Air Force reported.

Footage released by the Air Force shows Denfix launching an air-to-air missile from a MiG-29 fighter jet, successfully intercepting the target mid-flight. The pilot has over 20 confirmed kills, including Russian cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Ukrainian tactical aviation is regularly deployed to repel Russian missile and drone attacks, and continues to demonstrate high effectiveness in defending national airspace.

Key Takeaways:

• US President Donald Trump stated that Russia may have territorial ambitions beyond Ukraine – consistent with ISW’s long-held assessments that Russia is preparing for a future conflict with NATO and setting conditions to justify future aggression against non-NATO former Soviet Union states.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio correctly stated that Russia has not shown a willingness to move forward in peace negotiations.
• The Kremlin continues to leverage Russian Security Council Deputy Chairperson Dmitry Medvedev’s aggressive rhetoric to undermine Western support for Ukraine.
• Russian officials are promoting purposefully vague rhetoric about the “root causes” of Russia’s war against Ukraine in order to allow the Kremlin the flexibility to adapt its demands as it sees fit.
• Russia is reportedly accelerating its missile production capacity with sanctions evasion support from Belarus and the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
• NATO and Western officials reaffirmed their commitment to collective defense and security, to increasing defense spending in the face of increased Russian aggression, and to providing support to Ukraine.
• Ukraine’s European partners continue to allocate military aid to Ukraine and deepen cooperation with the Ukrainian defense industrial base (DIB).
• Ukrainian forces likely conducted a long-range strike against a Russian military industrial enterprise in Rostov Oblast on June 24.
• Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Borova and Velyka Novosilka, and Russian forces recently advanced in Vovchansk and near Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka.

In Memoriam: Dmytro Muzyka, a hero of Ukraine’s defense forces

Jr. Sgt. Dmytro Muzyka, known by the call sign Anubis, was killed in action on July 1, 2024, during a combat mission near the city of Krasnohorivka in Donetsk region. He was 31 years old.

Muzyka was born in the village of Kovalivka, Mykolaiv region, and lived in the village of Popivka in Vinnytsia region. He graduated from Vocational School No. 14 in Voronovytsia and worked as a roofer. He had previously defended Ukraine during the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) that started in 2014.

Just before the full-scale invasion began, Muzyka was working in the Czech Republic. He immediately returned home and joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine on March 4. He served in the 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade as a vehicle commander in a reconnaissance platoon.

Originally, Muzyka used the call sign Mykyta, inspired by the cunning folk tale hero “The Painted Fox,” for his ability to navigate danger. When enemy forces began to recognize the name, he changed it to Anubis — the guide to the afterlife.

For his service, Muzyka was awarded the Presidential Distinction “For Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation,” medals “For Courage,” “To the Defender of the Fatherland,” “For Wounds Received,” the “For Service to the State” award, and the Order “For Courage,” 3rd class.

“Dima was brave and fearless — someone who never gave up. Even if something didn’t work out, he would try again until he succeeded. He taught me perseverance and self-belief. He always smiled, even after the toughest missions, and said everything would be fine. I’m proud of the man he was — courageous, intelligent, honest, wise, and loyal. I will love him always,” wrote his wife, Maryna.

Muzyka was laid to rest at the Mishkivske Cemetery in Mykolaiv. He is survived by his wife, parents, and sister.

A memorial plaque was installed on the facade of the school in Popivka, Vinnytsia region, to honor the local hero.

*Muzyka’s story on the Heroes Memorial – a platform for stories about the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

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