On August 2, 2023, at 3:12 a.m. EDT, Ukrainian service members participated in a drill in the Donetsk region, showcasing their ongoing counteroffensive against Russia. The Pentagon confirmed that Ukraine has made significant gains, emphasizing that the fight remains challenging. Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder stated that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin previously referred to this conflict as a marathon rather than a sprint.
Recent Russian attacks targeted the capital city of Kyiv and the Odessa region, resulting in infrastructure damage, according to officials. Despite these attacks, Ukraine still possesses substantial combat capability, with the Pentagon expressing confidence in their ability to continue the campaign.
Reports from Kyiv and the Odessa region highlight damage to buildings and infrastructure. Mayor Vitali Klitschko of Kyiv revealed that a nonresidential building was damaged by a drone, but fortunately, there were no casualties. Oleh Kiper, the regional governor of Odessa, observed damage to port and industrial facilities caused by drone attacks.
The Ukrainian National Police announced an investigation into a large-scale draft evasion scheme. The scheme involved falsified medical certificates declaring individuals unfit for service. Those involved, including officials from the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi territorial recruitment center and members of the military medical commission, also attempted to cover up their actions by destroying official documentation.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Economy anticipates a 5% growth in the economy for 2024. Natalia Horshkova, the chief of the ministry’s department for strategic planning and macroeconomic forecasting, attributes this growth to reconstruction efforts and increased consumer spending. The ministry expects the war to conclude in 2024. This year, Ukraine’s economic growth is projected to be 2.8%, with the economy contracting by over 30% in 2022.
The birthrate in Ukraine has experienced a decline during the war. Opendatabot, a Ukrainian data website, reported that 97,000 children were born in the first half of this year, representing a 28% decrease compared to the same period in 2021. Birthrates have been declining since 2013, averaging a 7% decrease annually. Nearly 210,000 babies were born in 2022, while approximately 278,000 were born in 2021.
A medical facility in Kherson was hit by Russian shelling, resulting in the death of a doctor, injuries to a nurse, and damage to a surgical department, as stated by Oleksandr Prokudin, the governor of the region.
Mayor Sergey Sobyanin reported that Russian air defenses successfully intercepted several drones attempting to reach Moscow. A skyscraper in Moscow, previously targeted on Sunday, suffered further damage to its 21st floor. While Kyiv has not claimed responsibility for the attacks in Moscow, it has labeled them as legitimate. In Crimea, the Kremlin-appointed governor announced that Russia shot down a drone.
Poland’s Defense Ministry issued a statement claiming that Belarusian helicopters violated Polish airspace during a training exercise. However, the Belarusian Defense Ministry refuted these claims, dismissing them as “far-fetched.” In response, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak ordered additional soldiers to be stationed along the border.
After a senior Polish official suggested that Ukraine should appreciate Poland’s help, Ukraine summoned Poland’s ambassador to its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ukrainian ministry issued a statement emphasizing that the alleged ingratitude of Ukrainians towards Polish assistance does not reflect reality, deeming such statements unacceptable. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki expressed that the summoning of the Polish ambassador should not have occurred.
Drones have targeted prestigious Moscow buildings, prompting Ukraine to suggest that Russians should experience the realities of war. The Moscow-City complex, known for its glittering skyscrapers, has been repeatedly hit by drone attacks. One of these attacks caused serious damage to government ministry offices, as depicted in photographs published by Russian media. Additionally, the anti-corruption organization Global Witness has identified at least 19 apartments registered to the cousin of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and the wife of another of his cousins since 2013 within the same complex.
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