Russia – Ukraine war updates latest from the General Staff of Ukraine as of July 20, 2026.
This report is part of EMPR’s July 2026 Russia – Ukraine war timeline, tracking daily battlefield and geopolitical developments. For full coverage of this escalation phase, see the complete timeline.
Today is the 1,609th day of the large-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
Update as of 08:00 AM on Russian invasion of Ukraine
A total of 217 combat engagements were recorded over the past day.
Yesterday, the enemy launched two missile strikes using two missiles and carried out 78 airstrikes, dropping 254 guided aerial bombs. In addition, Russian forces deployed 10,408 kamikaze drones and conducted 3,346 attacks on populated areas and the positions of Ukrainian troops, including 38 attacks using multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).
Over the past day, the Air Force, Missile Forces, and Artillery of Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck three areas of enemy troop concentration, five artillery systems, and two unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) command posts.
Northern-Slobozhanskyi and Kursk Direction
08:00 AM: Ukrainian defenders repelled one russian assault. At the same time, the aggressor launched two airstrikes using seven guided aerial bombs and carried out 50 attacks on the positions of Ukrainian forces and populated areas, including two attacks using multiple launch rocket systems.
Southern-Slobozhanskyi Direction
08:00 AM: Ukrainian units repelled seven russian attacks. Russian forces attempted to advance near Starytsia, as well as toward Tsehelne, Vovchanski Khutory, Izbytske, and Kolodiazne.
Kupiansk Direction
08:00 AM: the enemy launched three attacks toward Petropavlivka, Kolisnykivka, and Kurylivka.
Lyman Direction
08:00 AM: Ukrainian forces repelled repeated attempts to break through their defenses as Russian troops launched 15 attacks in the areas of Lyman, Stavky, and Ozerne, as well as toward Shyikivka, Drobysheve, and Novoselivka.
Sloviansk Direction
08:00 AM: the russian occupiers carried out 30 assault operations in the areas of Kryva Luka, Zakitne, and Riznykivka, as well as toward Kalenyky and Rai-Oleksandrivka.
Kramatorsk Direction
08:00 AM: Russian forces attacked six times toward Fedorivka Druha, Nykyforivka, Yurkivka, and Vasiutynske.
Kostyantinivka Direction
08:00 AM: 14 russian attacks were recorded. Russian troops conducted assault operations in the areas of Kostiantynivka, Ivanopillia, and Illinivka, as well as toward Rusyn Yar.
Pokrovsk Direction
08:00 AM: Ukrainian defenders repelled 29 russian attacks. Russian forces were active in the areas of Novooleksandrivka, Bilytske, and Serhiivka, while also launching assaults toward Shevchenko, Nove Shakhove, Vilne, Toretske, Sofiivka, Kucheriv Yar, Myrne, Udachne, Novopidhorodne, and Novopavlivka.
Oleksandrivka Direction
08:00 AM: Russian forces carried out four attacks toward the settlements of Vorone, Oleksandrohrad, and Ternove.
Huliaipole Direction
08:00 AM: the russian occupiers launched 14 attacks, attempting to advance toward Verkhnia Tersa, Vozdvyzhivka, Tsvitkove, Kosivtseve, and Hirke.
Orikhiv Direction
08:00 AM: Ukrainian defenders repelled two russian attempts to advance toward Mali Shcherbaky and Bilohiria.
Prydniprovskyi Direction
08:00 AM: the russian enemy conducted no assault operations over the past day.
Volyn and Polissia Direction
08:00 AM: no signs of the formation of enemy offensive groupings were detected.
Ukrainian defenders continue the systematic destruction of Russian forces while maintaining effective resistance across the entire front line.
Overall, Russian losses over the past day amounted to 1,370 personnel. Ukrainian forces also destroyed or neutralized:
- 3 tanks
- 7 armored combat vehicles
- 92 artillery systems
- 2 multiple launch rocket systems
- 2 air defense systems
- 5 ground robotic systems
- 1,865 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
- 453 vehicles
- 8 pieces of special-purpose equipment.
