War update: 24 combat engagements recorded during the day

This is stated in the report by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18:00 on Saturday, July 29, published on Facebook.

The offensive operation of the defense forces continues in Melitopol and Berdiansk directions. The defenders gain a foothold on the reached boundaries.

During the day, the Ukrainian aviation launched five strikes on enemy personnel, weapons, and military equipment clusters. Missile and artillery units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine hit one enemy artillery system on firing position, an EW station, and a personnel cluster.

Also, the defense forces destroyed a Russian reconnaissance drone of the operational-tactical level.

During the day, Russian troops launched five missile strikes, 19 airstrikes, and 30 MLRS attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops and populated settlements. As a result of enemy attacks, civilian casualties were reported, residential buildings were destroyed.

In Volyn and Polissia directions, the operational situation has not changed significantly. No signs of formation of enemy offensive groups were detected.

In Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna directions, the Russians shelled more than 15 settlements with mortars and artillery, including Mykolayivka in Chernihiv region; Stara Huta, Hrabovske, Volfyne in Sumy region; Udy, Okhrimivka, Ohirtseve, Tykhe in Kharkiv region.

In Kupyansk direction, Dvorichna, Zapadne, Kindrashivka, Kupyansk in Kharkiv region came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

In Lyman direction, the invaders made unsuccessful offensive attempts in the area of Novoyehorivka and Bilohorivka districts in Luhansk region, fired artillery at Nevske and Bilohorivka in Luhansk region; Verkhniokamyanske, Spirne, Rozdolivka in Donetsk region.

In Bakhmut direction, the enemy hit more than 10 settlements, including Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Bila Hora, with artillery.

In Avdiyivka direction, under heavy Russian artillery and aircraft fire, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled Russian attacks near Avdiyivka. More than 10 settlements, including Avdiyivka, Pervomayske, Karlivka, Novokalynove in Donetsk region, were hit with enemy artillery.

In Maryinka direction, the defense forces continue to hold back the advance of Russian troops in the area of Maryinka. More than 10 settlements came under enemy fire, including Krasnohorivka, Maryinka, Novomykhaylivka, and Heorhiyivka in Donetsk region.

In Shakhtarske direction, the Russian army launched airstrikes on Makarivka and Staromayorske areas, shelled Odradne, Blahodatne, Makarivka, Rivnopil, and Staromayorske in Donetsk region.

In Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions, the Russians focus their main efforts on preventing the further advance of the units of the defense forces. More than 25 settlements came under enemy artillery fire, including Novodarivka, Mala Tokmachka, Bilohirya, Kamyanske in Zaporizhzhia region; Zolota Balka, Tokarivka, Antonivka, Mykhaylivka in Kherson region.

The invaders launched airstrikes on the areas of Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia region; Antonivka in Kherson region.