Kherson Oblast fortifications are 97% complete

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal inspected the construction of fortifications in Kherson Oblast on July 25, announcing that the construction work is now 97% complete.

For some time, the authorities have faced criticism for the slow progress in building fortifications along the front lines, which intensified after Russian forces broke through the northern part of Kharkiv Oblast in May.

Shmyhal emphasized that "building fortifications is a priority for the leader of every front-line oblast." He added that this year, the government allocated Hr 2 billion (around $50 million) to Kherson Oblast for the fortification efforts.

Although Ukraine successfully pushed Russian forces from the west-bank side of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast in late 2022, Moscow continues to occupy the east bank. Reports surfaced last week indicating that Ukraine was forced to withdraw from Krynky, a critical beachhead on the east bank it had held for months.

The government is now facing renewed pressure due to the allegedly poor progress on fortifications after Russia's incursion into Kharkiv Oblast in May. Though the advance was eventually halted, questions have arisen about how Russian forces managed to cross into Ukraine so easily.

General Artur Hrobenko, a sector commander, expressed his frustration in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda, stating that the fortifications on the second defensive line, constructed by regional authorities, were in poor condition and not adequately maintained. He further explained that constructing proper defenses on the first line was nearly impossible due to constant Russian aerial strikes and shelling.

Nearly a third of Ukrainian families have enough money only for food - survey

32% of Ukrainian Families Struggle to Afford More than Basic Necessities, Survey Reveals

According to a survey published by ZN.ua on July 25, approximately 32% of Ukrainian families report having enough income only to cover basic food expenses. This survey was conducted just before the government introduced a new bill proposing an increase in wartime taxes as part of Ukraine's ongoing search for additional financial resources amid the war with Russia.

The survey found that over 48% of respondents stated their families "have enough finance for food and clothes but have to save for something more expensive," while 9% said they "do not have enough money even for food." Meanwhile, 7.4% of respondents reported being able to afford everything they need, requiring savings only for very expensive purchases, and nearly 1% said their family can afford anything they want.

Regarding the average monthly family income, 29.5% of respondents indicated that they earn "up to Hr 8,000 ($194)," 36.3% said they earn "from Hr 8,000 to 18,000 ($194 – $436)," and 16% earn "from Hr 18,000 to 30,000 ($436 – $727)." Only 5.4% of respondents reported earning over Hr 30,000 ($727) per month.

ZN.ua highlighted that these results appear particularly pessimistic since they reflect total family income. Respondents were also asked to rate the most common expenses in their family budgets on a scale from 0 to 5 points. The poll revealed that Ukrainians spend the most on food, averaging 4.1 points, while spending the least on recreation and entertainment, at 1.1 points.

The survey was commissioned by ZN.ua and conducted by the Razumkov Center's sociological service from June 20 to 28, 2024, interviewing 2,027 respondents over the age of 18.

On July 18, the government-backed a bill amending the state budget and Tax Code to increase this year's budget by Hr 500 billion ($12 billion). One proposed source of additional funding is a tax increase, expected to generate Hr 125 billion ($3 billion) by the end of the year.

The updated proposal includes a significant expansion of the military tax base and an increase in the tax rate, particularly from 1.5% to 5% for individuals.

Earlier this year, the World Bank reported that 1.8 million more Ukrainians are living in poverty compared to 2020, highlighting the economic challenges facing the country.

31st Brigade soldiers escape encirclement near Prohres

Soldiers of Ukraine's 31st Separate Mechanised Brigade successfully broke free from a Russian encirclement north of the village of Prohres in Donetsk Oblast during the night of July 24-25, according to the DeepState military analytical outlet.

The situation on July 24 was described as extremely dynamic and tense. Around 2:00 PM, several observation posts from the 1st and 3rd battalions of the brigade were completely encircled by Russian forces. Despite the brigade commander not giving an official order to break through, the encircled troops took the initiative to fight their way out.

With the coordinated efforts of artillery, aerial reconnaissance, and support from adjacent forces, as well as the leadership of officers on the ground, the soldiers from the 1st and 3rd battalions managed to escape the encirclement "in full force." The operation was described as nerve-wracking and challenging, as a delay of even a few hours could have led to a secondary encirclement, which would have provided significant propaganda material for Russian media.

The soldiers emerged unscathed and continue to hold their defensive positions against Russian forces. The 31st and 47th Brigades remain crucial defensive pillars in the area, supported by numerous seconded units.