War update: 22 combat engagements recorded in five sectors of the front, heavy fighting ongoing

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said this in its evening update posted on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

According to the General Staff, the enemy concentrated its main efforts on the indicated directions.

In total, during the day, the Russian forces launched 59 air strikes on the positions of the Defense Forces of Ukraine and populated areas, as well as MLRS 40 attacks. The invaders also attacked Ukraine with Shahed-type drones. As a result of the enemy attacks, there are dead and wounded among the civilian population, including children. Residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure sustained damage.

The General Staff warns that the probability of Russian further missile attacks and air strikes on the entire territory of Ukraine remains high.

In the past day, the Ukrainian aircraft launched six strikes on the areas of concentration of enemy personnel, weapons and military equipment and two more strikes targeting enemy anti-aircraft missile systems.

On their part, units of the rocket forces and artillery of the Armed Forces of Ukraine hit one Russian command post, 16 artillery units in firing positions, four anti-aircraft missile systems and two EW stations.

In the Kupiansk direction, the Ukrainian defenders are firmly holding the defense. The Russians launched artillery and mortar attacks on Fyholivka, Novomlynsk, Dvorichna, Zapadne, Kupiansk and Kyslivka in Kharkiv region. An enemy air strike was recorded in the area of Kyslivka.

In the Lyman direction, the Russian army conducted unsuccessful offensive operations in the Novoselivske district of Luhansk region. The invaders used aircraft to attack the areas of Bilohorivka of Luhansk region, Spirne, Vesele, and Rozdolivka of Donetsk region. More than 10 settlements came under enemy artillery shelling, including Nevske and Bilohorivka of Luhansk region, Torske, Spirne, Berestove, and Rozdolivka of Donetsk region.

In the Bakhmut direction, Russian aircraft struck the districts of Stupochky, Oleksandro-Shultyne, and Danylivka of Donetsk region. More than 15 settlements, including Lyman, Bohdanivka, Khromove, Ivanivske and Toretsk of Donetsk region, were subjected to enemy artillery shelling.

In the Avdiivka direction, the Defense Forces successfully repelled Russian attacks in the area of Avdiivka. The invaders launched an air strike on the area of Panteleimonivka in Donetsk region. More than 15 settlements came under enemy artillery shelling, including Berdychi, Avdiivka, Vesele, Vodiane, and Zhelane Pershe in Donetsk region.

In the Marinka direction, the Defense Forces continue to hold back the advance of Russian troops in the area of Marinka. More than 10 settlements came under enemy shelling, including Krasnohorivka, Marinka, Heorhiivka, Maksymilianivka and Katerynivka in Donetsk region. In the area of Krasnohorivka, the Russians launched an air strike.

As Ukrinform reported, on the night of July 12, the Defense Forces of Ukraine destroyed 11 of 15 Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 drones launched by the Russian army across Ukraine.