Explosions on Crimean Bridge, Russia's withdrawal from grain deal, aid from Sweden and US: highlights for July 17

Explosions on the Crimean Bridge

On the night of July 17, explosions occurred on the Kerch Bridge in occupied Crimea. In the morning, the occupation authorities announced an “emergency” and damage to the road.

At a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin said that one span of the road part of the Crimean bridge was destroyed and cannot be restored.

A source in the Security Service of Ukraine told hromadske that the night attack on the Crimean bridge was a special operation of the Ukrainian Navy and the Security Service of Ukraine.

“The bridge was attacked with the help of surface drones. It was difficult to reach the bridge, but eventually, they managed to do it,” the source said.

Later, the SBU spokesperson told hromadske that details about the organization of the explosions on the Crimean Bridge would be disclosed after Ukraine's victory, but for now, the special service is “watching how one of the symbols of the Putin regime has once again failed to withstand the military load”.

Russia's withdrawal from the “grain deal”

Russia has officially opposed the extension of the grain deal, and the Russian side has already informed representatives of the other parties to the Joint Coordination Center.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that despite the stated humanitarian goals, the export of Ukrainian food “was almost immediately transferred to a purely commercial basis”.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the owners of the ships were ready to continue deliveries without Russia. He instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prepare Ukrainian official signals to the UN and Turkey to respond that they are also ready to continue the “grain initiative”.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that he had written a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin urging him not to cancel the international initiative.

Assistance from Sweden and the United States

The Swedish government has adopted a strategy for cooperation with Ukraine in the area of recovery and reforms for 2023-2027. It envisages approximately €522 million in investments and is the largest bilateral development assistance strategy in Swedish history.

The strategy covers five areas of support:

• recovery – with a focus on critical infrastructure, basic social services, and rehabilitation;
• green transition and sustainable development;
• inclusive economic development, entrepreneurship, and trade;
• security and stabilization;
• human rights, democracy, rule of law, and gender equality.

 “The business environment is crucial for Ukraine's reconstruction and economic recovery. By strengthening Ukraine's investment climate and role as a trading partner, the strategy can facilitate trade and entrepreneurship,” said Minister of International Development and Foreign Trade Eugene Forssell.

At the same time, USAID Administrator Samantha Power announced the allocation of more than $500 million in additional humanitarian aid for Ukrainians affected by Russia's full-scale aggression.

The funds will be used to support Ukrainians affected by the war, including internally displaced persons. In particular, the funds will provide food aid, medical care, shelter, drinking water, and financial support.

Situation at the frontline

Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Malyar said that over the past week (from July 10 to July 16), Ukrainian troops liberated almost 18 square kilometers of territory in the east and south as a result of offensive operations.

At the same time, the spokesman for the Eastern Group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Serhii Cherevatyi, said that Russians had concentrated more than 100,000 troops in the Lyman-Kupiansk sector of the front. During the day on July 17, the occupants tried to storm this section of the front 7 times.

Cherevatyi compared that at the peak of the war in Afghanistan, Soviet troops involved 120,000 soldiers. In addition, the Russians concentrated airborne units, their best motorized infantry units, in the Lyman-Kupiansk direction.

Other news for the day:

• Russian shelling of Bilopillia in Sumy Oblast killed two people and wounded 10 others.
• An indictment against former fugitive President Viktor Yanukovych for the seizure of state power was sent to court.
• The NABU and the SAPO complete the investigation into the embezzlement of UAH 12.3 million at the South Ukrainian Nuclear Power Plant.
• In Lviv, 11 days after a Russian missile hit a building, utility workers found a live cat in the rubble.
• As part of the eRestoration program, owners of damaged homes have already received almost UAH 115 million in compensation.
• Five items have been added to Ukraine's National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. These include the traditional Malanka ritual of the village of Beleluia in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast and the craft of beekeeping in Luhansk Oblast.