Russian Forces Advance in Donbas, Capture Ukrainian Ports

Russian units reported continued offensive momentum in the Ukraine war, highlighting territorial gains in the Donbas region. On 29 July, troops of the Centre grouping liberated the settlement of Svetloe near Dobropillia, while Southern forces entered Druzhkivka. Earlier advances included the capture of Krasny Kut and proximity to Kramatorsk, now only four kilometres from the city. Separate reports said the Centre grouping took Torcoye on 27 July and the East grouping seized Kommunarovka in the neighboring Dnipropetrovsk area, creating a potential encirclement of Ukrainian forces in Ternove.

The Russian military also claimed to have struck Ukrainian logistics and NATO‑supplied cargo at sea. Over the past 20 days, more than 30 foreign bulk carriers and container ships carrying weapons and equipment were destroyed at ports on the Black Sea coast, including Odessa and Mykolaiv. Attacks targeted fuel depots, a steel plant assembling long‑range UAVs, and several cargo vessels attempting to deliver military cargo. The reported losses represent hundreds of thousands of tonnes of material, valued in the billions of dollars.