Victory Chronicles-DAY 888

The United States has agreed to provide Ukraine with U.S.-made missiles for their F-16 aircraft, which will be delivered by European allies. The specific missiles that will be provided include AGM-88 HARM air-to-ground missiles, JDAM munitions, GLSDB precision-guided munitions, AMRAAM medium-range missiles, and AIM-9X short-range air-to-air missiles. 

The exact dates of the deliveries were not disclosed for security reasons, but an anonymous U.S. official assured that Ukraine will receive enough missiles to meet its immediate needs. The European countries of the fighter coalition did not want to send Ukraine their own ammunition, so they agreed to deliveries from the United States. 

On July 10, the leaders of the United States, Denmark, and the Netherlands announced that Ukraine would receive its first F-16s this summer. Overall, this agreement will bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities and enhance its ability to defend itself.

Kherson Oblast rescuers extinguished 25 fires over the day: 19 were caused by enemy shelling. Residential buildings, outbuildings, garages, and a car were burning in the settlements of the Oblast and Kherson as a result of enemy shelling. This was reported by the press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

Touareg rebels in Mali were photographed posing with the Ukrainian flag after allegedly killing numerous Russian mercenaries from the Wagner private military company. The photo, which was obtained by journalists, suggests that the rebels are showing support for Ukraine’s pursuit of Wagner mercenaries across Africa. Sources within the Ukrainian defense and security forces have confirmed the authenticity of the photo and expressed full support for any groups fighting against Wagner terrorists in various parts of Africa. Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, disclosed on a national news channel that the rebels had received vital information allowing them to successfully carry out their military operation against the Russian mercenaries. While specific details were not revealed, Yusov mentioned that more information would be shared in due course.

The 79th Air Assault Tavriya Brigade in Ukraine successfully repelled a large-scale attack by Russian forces in the Kurakhivske direction of the Donetsk Oblast. The Russian forces deployed 57 pieces of equipment, including 10 tanks, 47 infantry fighting vehicles, 10 motorcycles, and 1 armored personnel carrier. Despite the overwhelming numbers, the Ukrainian paratroopers managed to thwart all the enemy’s attempts. They destroyed 12 infantry fighting vehicles, 8 Russian tanks, 9 motorcycles, and a buggy. The battle resulted in the death of 36 enemy soldiers and 32 wounded. The Air Assault Troops of Ukraine’s Armed Forces released a video showcasing the repelled attack. 

The US Department of Defense (DoD) announced on July 29 the provision of security assistance to Ukraine worth $200 million from the authorization of a Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) package and an additional package worth $1.5 billion in Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) funds.

The DoD stated that the PDA package will include air defense interceptors, munitions for rocket and artillery systems, and anti-tank weapons. The DoD reported that the USAI package includes munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), short- and medium-range air defense munitions, RIM-7 air defense missiles, ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles, Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems, 155mm and 105mm shells, 120mm mortar rounds, and other munitions and equipment. 

The DoD noted that this is the Biden administration’s 20th USAI package and 62nd tranche of equipment provided to Ukraine since August 2021.

Ukrainian fighter Bohdan Kozak, with the call sign Polyn, died on January 20, 2024, near the village of Dibrova in the Luhansk Oblast. While performing his duties, he suffered a fatal explosive injury. The fighter would have turned 29 in a week.

Bohdan was born and lived in the city of Lviv. He studied at school №77. Then he graduated from the Lviv Professional College of Modeling and Restaurant Business and became a cook. Later he worked at the Zhyvy Khlib bakery. In his free time, he liked to fish.

During the full-scale war, the man fought for his country in the ranks of the 6th Special Forces Battalion of the National Guard of Ukraine. He held the position of armored vehicle mechanic.

“My brother is a man who achieved everything through his hard work and stubbornness,” said Orest Kozak. The National Guard fighter was buried on Mars Field in Lviv. Bohdan is survived by his mother Olha, brother Orest, daughter-in-law Zinaida, and nieces Anastasiia and Yelyzaveta.

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

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