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You are here: Home / Foreign Affairs / War for Ukraine Day 1,253: The Cost

War for Ukraine Day 1,253: The Cost

by Adam L Silverman|  July 31, 20259:19 pm| 6 Comments

This post is in: Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Military, Open Threads, Russia, Silverman on Security, War, War in Ukraine

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A painting by the Ukrainain artist NEIVANMADE. The upper 1/2 is grey and there are black Shahed drones on it aimed towards the bottom of the painting. The bottom half of the painting has a blood red background and in the center of the bottom is a house, to it's left is a swing set, and to its right is a car. They are charcoal grey on the blood red background background. The drones are targeting the house, swing set, and car. Above the house and below the drones are the words "Russia Kills To Erase Free People".

(Image by NEIVANMADE)

It’s been a very long day and my mom’s flight home was delayed because of weather, so I’m just going to run through the basics as I’ve got to run to the airport and pick her up.

Here’s the cost of last night’s/this morning’s Russian attack on Kyiv:

Six-year-old boy killed in this morning’s terror attack on Kyiv by fascist Russia went to the same karate club as my daughter, with the same coach. He was killed 260 meters from our home. The claws of fascist Russia’s war swiped close today – whole family deeply saddened by this.

[image or embed]

— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 10:19 AM

15 killed in Kyiv, including a child.
over 140 injured, including 14 children.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 1:23 PM

Death toll after last night’s russian attack on Kyiv has risen to 16, including 2 children.

155 people were injured, including 16 children.

Totally looks like russia wants peace, right?

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 2:51 PM

This is how Russia attacked Ukraine last night. In total, the Russians launched 317 drones and missiles. Ukrainian air defense successfully intercepted 288 out of 309 strike “Shaheds” and other types of drones, as well as 3 out of 8 Iskander-K cruise missiles.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 4:34 AM

And a small bit of good news:

Miracles do happen — if only they happened more often. After 3h+ under the rubble, first responders rescued a man from a house destroyed by a russian missile.

They kept voice contact with him the entire time. He had fallen from the second floor to the first, where he was trapped beneath debris.

[image or embed]

— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 4:24 AM

President Zelenskyy actually made two addresses today. I’m going to post the most recent one first. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

Dear Ukrainians!

There have already been several reports today from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine regarding rescue operations and the clearing of rubble after the Russian strike. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine and all relevant services will continue working for as long as necessary. People are being searched for under the rubble. Over a hundred people have already received various forms of assistance. Many have been wounded or injured, including 14 children. Dozens are currently in hospitals. I am grateful to the rescuers, our police officers, every doctor, every nurse, and everyone involved in providing assistance. To all municipal services. It is very important that Ukrainians so swiftly and so humanely help one another do their job and restore life after Russian strikes.

Tragically, there are fatalities. As of now, 14 people have been confirmed dead in Kyiv, including a six-year-old child. My condolences to all their families and loved ones.

During the day, there were also Russian strikes on the Sumy, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions – our Kramatorsk and other cities and communities of ours. And wherever possible, our rescuers are working, all emergency services are responding, and the military is helping a lot. I want to thank you for this!

Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi delivered a report today. The front line – especially the Pokrovsk sector – our units are holding all their positions. Pokrovsk and Dobropillia are currently seeing the heaviest fighting. And it is important that our warriors are eliminating Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups – small units constantly attempting to break into the city and establish footholds. This is the Russian tactic, and our response to it is the destruction of the occupier. There were Russian fake reports today – you saw them – about Chasiv Yar. This is Russian disinformation. Ukrainian units are holding our positions, and every Russian attempt to advance in the Donetsk, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions is ultimately being repelled by us. It is not easy, but it is the defense of Ukrainians’ very right to life. Every such direction is extremely important.

Today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is taking part in a major meeting of European foreign ministers in Finland – on the OSCE platform. I addressed the participants of this meeting. These days, Europe is marking 50 years of the OSCE – and that means principles, the Helsinki principles, which at the time affirmed a peaceful path for Europe. And today, we clearly know what is needed to bring peace back to Europe, to force Russia into peace, to end this war. There will be new sanctions against Russia and new strong steps in support of Ukraine. I thank everyone around the world who is helping.

I also thank Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa – the President of the European Commission and the President of the European Council – as well as the European leaders. All of them firmly support the adoption of the law guaranteeing the independence of anti-corruption institutions and the proper functioning of all law enforcement bodies. European leaders, many ministers – we are receiving all these necessary positive signals – signals that Ukraine is moving in the right direction.

Today, a briefing was held at the Presidential Office for EU ambassadors on Ukraine’s sanctions policy and our priorities. The Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy presented very detailed recommendations on what measures could have the greatest impact on Russia. The ambassadors were also shown fragments of Russian missiles and ‘shaheds’ – the very ones that struck residential buildings in Kyiv. Not a single one of these missiles or ‘shaheds’ would be possible without components from other countries, delivered to Russia through various supply schemes. Every such supply scheme must be blocked – and that depends on our partners. I also discussed with the Government the swift implementation of the laws adopted today. Some draft laws for August have already been agreed upon – including the law on the Military Ombudsman. The text of this document has been thoroughly worked on. I expect that the Military Ombudsman institution will soon be able to operate in full. Thank you to everyone who is helping us!

Glory to Ukraine!

Here’s his first address from today. Video followed by the English transcript.

I Want to Thank All the Members of Parliament for Passing My Bill – Now Officially a Law; I Have Just Signed the Document – Address by the President

31 July 2025 – 15:13

Dear Ukrainians!

I want to thank all the Members of Parliament right now for passing my bill – now officially a law. I have just signed the document, and its text will be published immediately. This is a guarantee of the proper independent functioning of our state’s anti-corruption bodies and all law enforcement agencies. The law ensures the absence of any external influence or interference, including through polygraph checks – regular checks for all law enforcement personnel who have access to state secrets or have relatives in Russia. This is the right decision. 331 deputies supported it. It passed exactly as needed – both in the first reading and as a whole. It is very important that the state listens to public opinion. That it hears its citizens. Ukraine is a democracy – without any doubt. Government officials will also promptly inform Ukraine’s international partners about this law.

And today, there are other very important decisions as well. One is a law that ensures proper budget funding for the Defense Forces for weapons, for drones, and for payments to our warriors and the families of our warriors. This is extremely important. I have just signed it as well, and this guarantees that our warriors on the frontline will receive their payments, and that all proper payments will be made to the families of our fallen heroes. I also instructed, and we agreed with the military command, on the decision to grant an additional 15 days of leave for our military personnel. This is to be implemented in August. Additionally, a law has been adopted that grants more opportunities for veteran-run businesses. These laws are now in place and will already start working. So this day is really productive and tangible for our people. I thank everyone who defends Ukraine, Ukrainians, and Ukrainian national interests.

Glory to Ukraine!

Georgia:

For the 246th day in a row, Right Avenue is blocked in Tbilisi, Georgia, in 39 degree heat Celsius. 🇬🇪✊

Protests continue in 8+ cities.

[image or embed]

— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM

#Georgia: Ahead of tomorrow’s expected verdict in the case of IPI member @MziaAmaglobeli, founder and director of @netgazeti.org, IPI joins media freedom and human rights groups in calling on the authorities to ensure her immediate release.
#FreeMzia

buff.ly/bq4dt1z

— International Press Institute (IPI) (@globalfreemedia.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 7:05 AM

🗣️”This day concerns everyone; it will serve as a moment of reckoning for all: you are either on the side of justice, or on the side of a fabricated case and total injustice, – Salome Zourabichvili on Mzia Amaglobeli’s final hearing.

💢 batumelebi.netgazeti.ge/articles-in-…
#FreeMzia

[image or embed]

— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) July 31, 2025 at 1:33 PM

The US:

“Strong condemnations” vibes

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 5:06 PM

It’s Triple H!

 

A black and white picture of the Three Stooges. They are wearing hats, seated at a table, and all 3 are face palming themselves so that you cannot see their faces. The caption says: Triple Face Palm Because Even the Three Stooges Can See That You Fail.

Back to Ukraine.

With 331 votes, Ukraine’s parliament passed a bill that reverses last week’s crackdown on anti-corruption institutions. We expect a prompt president’s signature.

The voice of Ukrainian society was heard!

Let this be a lesson — and may such attacks never be repeated.

[image or embed]

— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 7:02 AM

Ukrainians can count their protests over Zelensky stripping their anti-corruption bodies of independence–and then his U-turn–as another street victory. And proof Ukraine remains a burgeoning if imperfect democracy, despite creeping authoritarian tendencies of its leaders, and in contract to Russia.

[image or embed]

— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 31, 2025 at 7:27 AM

Ukrainian air strikes on Russian targets t.me/YT29JTacRome…

[image or embed]

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 4:35 PM

HIMARS strike on the North Korean M-1978 Koksan 170mm SPG.

[image or embed]

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 11:11 AM

A soldier who had been holding the line for 5 days at position 360, unable to evacuate on his own, was delivered a 40 kg electric bike directly to his position.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 8:34 AM

Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast:

❗️Russia has just struck a residential building in Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast!

[image or embed]

— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 8:23 AM

A russian missile has hit the center of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region, striking a residential building. Section of the building has collapsed, the city council reported.

The number of casualties is currently being determined.

russia just keeps murdering us.

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 8:42 AM

Russia dropped an aerial bomb on central Kramatorsk, striking a residential building directly. One person has been confirmed dead, 11 injured — and more may be trapped under the rubble.

📷Radio Svoboda

[image or embed]

— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 9:02 AM

Kyiv:

A horrifying moment as a Russian drone strikes Kyiv.

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 6:02 PM

Permanent member of the UN Security Council bombing a European capital with a population of several million people this morning.

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 12:51 PM

The first minutes of footage from police body cameras after the night attack in Kyiv.
t.me/c/1377735387…

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 12:07 PM

“Friends, behind me is the building that was hit by a rocket…”

Kyiv, after the russian attack tonight.

Horror.

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 10:38 PM

Kyiv today 😔

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 9:14 AM

More from Kyiv.

I’m speechless. All I can do is sit here and wait for the firefighters to search the rubble, hoping there won’t be many… I just don’t understand why this is allowed to happen again and again.

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 11:39 PM

Chasiv Yar:

Deep State reports Russians haven’t captured Chasiv Yar but staged another flag-planting stunt behind Ukrainian lines. Flags were raised in Shevchenko and Tsekh No. 2 districts, but the city isn’t under Russian control. Most “flag-planters” were eliminated in this one-way mission.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 10:48 AM

Penza Oblast, Russia:

While fascist Russia hits civilians in residential areas of Kyiv, drones from democratic 🇺🇦 strike military-related industrial targets in RF. In Penza, over 600km from the nearest 🇺🇦-controlled territory, at least 2 drone struck the Radiozavod plant, a military coms maker.

— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 5:00 AM

Today strike by drones which visually resemble Shahed/Harop-type loitering munitions on a “Radiozavod” in Penza, Russia — a key military comms factory.

[image or embed]

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 4:41 AM

Taganrog, Rostov Oblast, Russia:

Drones visited Taganrog. The Beriev Aircraft Design Bureau may have been targeted, but there is no confirmation yet.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 31, 2025 at 5:52 PM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos today. Here is some adjacent material.

The Hachiko Vet Van 🚐 was in Izium, eastern Ukraine today. Here are some of the pets they treated in the liberated city less than 30 miles from Russian invaders. The spiky one is a cat, not a porcupine.

[image or embed]

— Nate Mook (@natemook.bsky.social) July 13, 2025 at 10:32 PM

Open thread!

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Previous Post: « Thursday Night Open Thread
Next Post: Late Night Open Thread: The Coverup *Is* the Crime »

Reader Interactions

6Comments

  1. 1.

    Westyny

    August 1, 2025 at 12:17 am

    Thank you, Adam.

  2. 2.

    Steve Crickmore

    August 1, 2025 at 12:39 am

    Thank you, Adam for documenting these updates as always, even as so many of the details are unavoidably depressing. Trump: “Russia? I think it’s disgusting, what they’re doing.” And what day was Russia’s Special Military Operation, launched February 24, 2022, not?

    But this seems an almost a “Damascus moment” for someone of Trump’s incorrigible obtuseness. ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’ is a common saying that originated from a Chinese proverb. Far too much time has passed for Trump to have finally taken that step..but there is a little more hope for the future there might be a change in Trump’s American foreign policy towards Russia.

  3. 3.

    Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom

    August 1, 2025 at 1:01 am

    Thank you Adam.

  4. 4.

    AlaskaReader

    August 1, 2025 at 1:08 am

    Thanks Adam

  5. 5.

    Jay

    August 1, 2025 at 8:35 am

    Thank you, Adam.

  6. 6.

    karensky

    August 1, 2025 at 8:54 am

    Thank you, Adam.

Comments are closed.

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