Monday, July 22

Russia’s war against Ukraine

A first responder extinguishes fire that was caused by Russia’s overnight attacks on Sumy Oblast on July 21, 2024. (State Emergency Service/Telegram)

BREAKING: Biden drops out of presidential race, endorses VP Kamala Harris.

“I believe it is in the best interest of my party and my country to stand down,” U.S. President Joe Biden announced on July 21.

Zelensky thanks Biden for consistent support of Ukraine throughout presidency.

President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed respect for U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the presidential race, thanking him for his unwavering support of Ukraine’s fight for freedom.

Front-line troops lack ammunition, drones, Zelensky says. “It is very important to ensure that in all key directions, we have the means to inflict maximum losses on the enemy,” Zelensky said.

Thousands mourn slain ex-MP at memorial service in Lviv. Thousands of people gathered at the Saints Peter and Paul Garrison Church in Lviv on July 21 for a memorial service dedicated to Iryna Farion, a former Ukrainian lawmaker and linguist who was assassinated on July 19.

Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going. Become a member today.

Zelensky on Trump’s peace plan: No one can push Ukraine to give up territory for peace. “If one person in the world, and this person is Donald Trump, can stop the war in 24 hours, the question is what price, and who will pay?” Zelensky said in an interview with BBC.

Most Ukrainian POWs haven’t seen Red Cross while in Russian captivity, ombudsman says. Ukraine’s Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets commented on the recent interview of Boris Michel, the head of the delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Russia, with the Russian state-controlled media RIA Novosti.

Zelensky: Ukraine must find new ways to hold elections if war drags on. Zelensky emphasized that many factors make holding fair elections challenging during the war, “but in any case, if the war drags on, it will be necessary to look for new tools.”

Read our exclusives

Ukraine war latest: Around 20,000 Russians killed in Kharkiv offensive, Zelensky says

Key updates on July 20-21: * Around 20,000 Russians died in Kharkiv offensive, Zelensky says * Ukraine increases defense spending by almost $12 billion in 2024.

Photo: Libkos/Getty Images

Human cost of war

Media: Polish volunteer fighter dies in Ukraine. Tomasz Marcin Sekala died in Luhansk Oblast, according to PAP. A funeral was held in Kyiv on July 20.

Two Ukrainian photojournalists come under Russian artillery fire, one injured.

Olga Kovalyova, senior project manager for the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers (UAPP), was evacuated and hospitalized after receiving three shrapnel wounds, the UAPP said in a statement. She is in stable condition.

General Staff: Russia has lost 566,710 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,100 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on July 21.

International response

Johnson says Trump has ‘the strength and bravery’ to bring peace to Ukraine.

Former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised Republican nominee Donald Trump’s chances to end the Russian war in Ukraine in a July 19 opinion for Daily Mail.

West must ‘let go’ of ‘irrational fears’ of escalation with Russia, FM Kuleba says.

“Putin does not require any reasons to escalate. Instead, we must take the initiative and make Putin fear our next move, not the other way around,” Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a Reddit “Ask Me Anything” session.

In other news

Russia announces willingness to help Georgian ruling party stay in power.

Andrei Klimov, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Federation Council, stated that Russia is prepared to assist Georgia’s ruling party, “Georgian Dream,” in retaining power if requested.

Want to get the news faster? Follow our website: kyivindependent.com.

Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Abbey Fenbert, Sonya Bandouil, and Natalia Yermak.

If you’re enjoying this newsletter, consider joining our membership program. Start supporting independent journalism today.