July 20, 2022 Russia-Ukraine news

By Jessie Yeung, Aditi Sangal, Sana Noor Haq and Hannah Strange, CNN

Updated 2:48 a.m. ET, July 21, 2022
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8:51 a.m. ET, July 20, 2022

US will send 4 more high mobility artillery rocket systems to Ukraine

From Ellie Kaufman and Barbara Starr

The United States will send four more high mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS) to Ukraine in the next package of security assistance, which will be officially announced later this week, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Wednesday.

“Later this week, we’ll roll out our next presidential drawdown package of weapons, ammunition and equipment for Ukraine. It will be our 16th drawdown of equipment from DoD inventory since August 2021. It will include four more HIMARS, advanced rocket systems, which the Ukrainians have been using so effectively and which have made such a difference on the battlefield,” Austin said during opening remarks ahead of the fourth meeting of the Ukraine Contact Group held virtually Wednesday.

The next security assistance package will also include “more rounds of MLRS and artillery ammunition,” Austin said in his remarks at the Pentagon.

He reflected on how the Ukraine Contact Group — made up of more than 40 participating countries — has sent security assistance to Ukraine since their in-person meeting last month in Brussels, Belgium, on June 15, saying the US has “committed more than $2.6 billion dollars in security assistance to Ukraine."

“More than 30 countries have now sent lethal military assistance to Ukraine in its hour of crisis, and we continue to make important headway,” he added.

8:04 a.m. ET, July 20, 2022

European Commission sets out plan to reduce gas use in Europe by 15% until next spring

From CNN's Livvy Doherty and Anna Cooban

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks at a news conference in Brussels, Belgium, July 20.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks at a news conference in Brussels, Belgium, July 20. (Yves Herman/Reuters)

The European Commission on Wednesday laid out its plan to reduce gas use in Europe by 15%, as it attempts to strengthen the EU’s energy resilience amid tensions with key supplier Russia. 

Announcing the “Save Gas for a Safe Winter” package, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said 12 member states had been hit by either a partial or total cut off from Russian gas supply.

Von der Leyen warned that a total shut off of Russian gas was a "likely scenario."

“Russia is blackmailing us. Russia is using energy as a weapon” she said.

The package proposes a target for all member states to reduce gas demand by 15% between August 2022 and March 2023. Member states have until September to show how they will be able to meet that target.

In a statement on the package, the Commission said there will be measures to help EU member countries meet the necessary reductions, including a “focus on substitution of gas with other fuels, and overall energy savings in all sectors.”

The Commission also urged member states to launch public awareness campaigns “to promote the reduction of heating and cooling on a broad scale.”

The measures come just one day before officials worry Gazprom, Russia's state gas company, may refuse to re-start deliveries through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. Nord Stream 1 has been shut over the past 10 days for routine maintenance.

The pipeline is a vital artery linking Russia's vast gas reserves to the continent via Germany. It delivers 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year, or nearly 40% of the bloc's total pipeline imports from Russia.

Last month, Gazprom cut flows through the pipeline by 60%, blaming the West's decision to withhold vital turbines because of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Those turbines have since been allowed to travel to Germany from Canada, where they were being repaired, under a sanctions waiver, the Canadian government said last week.

But Russia could still decide to keep the taps turned off. It stopped delivering gas to several European countries and energy companies because they refused Moscow's demands for payments in rubles -- a move that would have put them in breach of European sanctions.

Read the full story here:

8:42 a.m. ET, July 20, 2022

It's 2:30 p.m. in Kyiv. Here's what you need to know.

From CNN staff

Hostilities have intensified in parts of southern Ukraine, with reports of two deaths from Russian shelling in the city of Nikopol and the Ukrainian bombardment of a strategic bridge to Russian-occupied Kherson. Meanwhile residents of the northeastern city of Kharkiv have been advised to stay indoors after three people were reported to have been killed in a Russian attack.

Here are the latest developments:

  • Syria cuts ties with Ukraine: Syria has severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine, the Syrian government said Wednesday. “The Syrian Arab Republic has decided to break diplomatic relations with Ukraine in conformity with the principle of reciprocity and in response to the decision of the Ukrainian government,” state news agency SANA reported, quoting an unnamed official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. The decision follows Ukraine's announcement in June of an end to diplomatic ties with Syria after Damascus recognized the independence of the two Russian-backed separatist republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, located in the Donbasregion in eastern Ukraine. 
  • Shelling ramps up in the south: A bridge to the largely Russian-occupied Kherson region in southern Ukraine was "very badly damaged" after it was hit by eight or nine rockets Wednesday, Russian state news agency TASS reported, citing Kirill Stremousov, a Russian-backed regional administration official. The Antonovskiy bridge, which crosses the Dnieper River, has been bombarded by Ukrainian forces for two days in a row, according to TASS. Meanwhile, Russian shelling killed two people and injured nine others in the residential area of Nikopol in southern Ukraine late Tuesday, according to a regional administration spokesperson. 
  • Russian attack on Kharkiv: A 13-year-old boy was among three victims of a Russian attack on the northeastern city of Kharkiv on Wednesday morning, according to the regional military chief. “Unfortunately, 3 people, including a 13-year-old boy, a man, and a woman, were killed as a result of the morning shelling by the occupiers of the Saltivskyi district of Kharkiv," Oleh Synehubov wrote in a Telegram post. "A 72-year-old woman was injured.” Synehubov advised people in Kharkiv -- Ukraine's second-largest city before the start of Russia's invasion -- not to go outside unless necessary. 
  • Annexation intelligence: The White House said Tuesday it has intelligence showing Russia plans to annex more parts of Ukraine, repeating a playbook it used in the 2014 annexation of Crimea. Those steps could include "sham" referenda and forcing Ukrainians to apply for Russian citizenship. Washington would punish Moscow with additional sanctions if it attempted to annex more Ukrainian territory, the White House added.
8:42 a.m. ET, July 20, 2022

Ukraine's new US rockets have "significantly slowed" Russian assault, says defense minister

From CNN’s Olga Voitovych in Kyiv

Ukraine's new US-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) have “significantly slowed” Russia’s advance in the country, according to a Ukrainian government minister.

“These systems allowed us to destroy approximately 30 command stations and ammunition storages, when we started using only eight HIMARS systems,” Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said Tuesday.

“This has significantly slowed down the Russia advance and dramatically decreased the intensity of their artillery shelling," Reznikov said in a video address to US thinktank the Atlantic Council.

However, Ukrainian forces need more Western long-range precision artillery and rocket systems to hold Russia back and launch a counteroffensive, Reznikov added.

“We are grateful to our partners for HIMARS and… M270,” he said, referring to the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) that the UK has committed to providing Ukraine.

“To effectively hold back the enemy, we need at least 50 such systems, given that our frontline is almost 2,500 kilometres (1,553 miles),” he added. “For an effective counteroffensive we would need at least a 100, I think. That could become a game changer on the battle field in that case.”

Over the past few weeks, Ukraine has been using the HIMARS and other Western-made weaponry to target Russian ammunition depots in Moscow-controlled territory. Rockets launched from HIMARS damaged a key bridge crossing the Dnieper river in the Kherson region Wednesday, TASS reported.

Reznikov called for Ukraine’s allies to test more of their equipment in the country.

“Ukraine is now essentially a testing ground,” he said. “Many weapons are now getting tested in the field in the real conditions of the battle against the Russian army…We are interested in testing modern systems in the fight against the enemy, and we are inviting arms manufacturers to test their new products here.

“I think for our partners in Poland, in the United States, France or Germany, it’s a good chance to test their equipment. Or our Turkey partners,” he said. “Give us the tools, we will finish the job.”

Read more here:

5:29 a.m. ET, July 20, 2022

Syria cuts diplomatic relations with Ukraine

From CNN’s Celine Alkhaldi in Dubai and Tamara Qiblawi in London

Syrians wave the Russian flag and a portrait of President Bashar al-Assad, during a rally in support of Russia in the Syrian capital Damascus, on March 25.
Syrians wave the Russian flag and a portrait of President Bashar al-Assad, during a rally in support of Russia in the Syrian capital Damascus, on March 25. (Louai Beshara/AFP/Getty Images)

Syria has severed diplomatic ties with Ukraine, the country's government said Wednesday.

The news follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's announcement that his government was cutting diplomatic relations with Syria in June.

“The Syrian Arab Republic has decided to break diplomatic relations with Ukraine in conformity with the principle of reciprocity and in response to the decision of the Ukrainian government,” state news agency SANA reported, quoting an unnamed official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.

Zelensky announced the severing of diplomatic ties with President Bashar al-Assad’s government after Damascus recognized the independence of the two Russian-backed separatist republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, located in the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. 

Syria was the first country, after its close ally Russia, to recognize the independence of the breakaway regions and state its intention to build diplomatic relations with them last month.

The Syrian government has relied on Russian support for over a decade, with Moscow shielding the country in the Security Council and flooding it with weapons, personnel, and operational support.

Russia began a military operation in Syria to prop up the Assad regime six years before its invasion of Ukraine.

In 2018, Assad’s government recognized two other Russian-backed separatist republics, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which are internationally recognized as part of Georgia.

6:25 a.m. ET, July 20, 2022

Three killed in Kharkiv shelling, including 13-year-old boy

From CNN's Olga Voitovych in Kyiv

Police experts examine a crater left by a Russian missile strike at a bus stop in Saltivskyi, a northern district of of Kharkiv on July 20.
Police experts examine a crater left by a Russian missile strike at a bus stop in Saltivskyi, a northern district of of Kharkiv on July 20. (Sergey Bobok/AFP/Getty Images)

A 13-year-old boy was among three victims of a Russian attack on the northeastern city of Kharkiv on Wednesday morning, said Oleh Synehubov, head of the regional military administration.

“Unfortunately, 3 people, including a 13-year-old boy, a man, and a woman, were killed as a result of the morning shelling by the occupiers of the Saltivskyi district of Kharkiv," he wrote in a Telegram post. "A 72-year-old woman was injured.” 

Synehubov advised people in Kharkiv -- Ukraine's second-largest city before the start of Russia's invasion -- not to go outside unless necessary. 

4:51 a.m. ET, July 20, 2022

Ukrainian forces shell strategic bridge to Russian-occupied Kherson

From CNN's Irene Nasser, Teele Rebane and Josh Pennington

The Antonovskiy bridge to the largely Russian-occupied Kherson region in southern Ukraine has been shelled by Ukrainian forces, seen in this video grab released July 19.
The Antonovskiy bridge to the largely Russian-occupied Kherson region in southern Ukraine has been shelled by Ukrainian forces, seen in this video grab released July 19. (Telegram)

A bridge to the largely Russian-occupied Kherson region in southern Ukraine has been shelled by Ukrainian forces for two days in a row, according to Russian state news agency TASS.

Eight or nine rockets hit the Antonovskiy bridge, which crosses the Dnieper River, on Wednesday, TASS reported, citing Kirill Stremousov, deputy head of the region's Russian-backed administration.

Stremousov told TASS the bridge was "very badly damaged" in the shelling, but said there is no danger of it collapsing. 

On Tuesday, videos shared on social media already showed damage to the bridge. 

According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the bridge is a "key vulnerability for Russian forces," as it is one of only two crossing points over the Dnieper River, which Russia can use to supply or withdraw their forces "in the territory it has occupied west of the river."

"This area includes the city of Kherson, which is politically and symbolically important for Russia. The lower reaches of the Dnieper present a natural barrier, with the waterway typically around 1000m wide. Control of Dnieper crossings is likely to become a key factor in the outcome of fighting in the region," the UK ministry said in a tweet.
3:27 a.m. ET, July 20, 2022

Russian shelling kills 2 in southern city of Nikopol

From CNN's Irene Nasser and Teele Rebane

Two people died and nine others were injured following Russian shelling of a residential area of Nikopol in southern Ukraine late on Tuesday, according to Sergey Bratchuk, spokesman for the Odesa regional administration. 

Four of the injured are children, he said, adding that the shelling destroyed three houses and damaged 12 other homes.

8:43 a.m. ET, July 20, 2022

It's 10 a.m. in Kyiv. Here's what you need to know

From CNN staff

Russian forces are renewing efforts to break through Ukrainian defenses in eastern Ukraine and stepping up missile strikes in the south of the country. Meanwhile, Ukraine's first lady is on a high-profile trip to the United States.

Here are the latest developments:

  • Annexation intelligence: The White House said Tuesday it has intelligence showing Russia plans to further annex of parts of Ukraine, repeating a playbook it used in the 2014 annexation of Crimea. Those steps could include "sham" referenda and forcing Ukrainians to apply for Russian citizenship. Washington would punish Moscow with additional sanctions if it attempted to annex more Ukrainian territory, the White House added.
  • Southern conflict: The thrust of the Russian offensive is focused on the eastern Donbas region — but missile strikes and rocket attacks have also picked up in southern Ukraine, with targets including the port city Odesa, according to the Ukrainian military. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces are carrying out a counteroffensive in the largely Russian-occupied Kherson region.
  • Zelensky vows retaliation: In his nightly address Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that Russian strikes on Odesa had hit civilian structures without any military significance, and promised to deliver "retaliatory strikes."
  • Putin in Iran: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Iran on Tuesday for his first international trip since launching the invasion. He met with Iran's President and Supreme Leader, and Turkey's President. It comes as Iran's national oil company signed a $40 billion agreement with Russia's state-run gas company Gazprom.
  • First lady's trip: Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska is due to address members of the US Congress on Wednesday. Zelenska visited the White House on Tuesday where she privately met with first lady Jill Biden.
  • Trafficking risks: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned the war could cause human trafficking to get worse in the coming year by forcing people from their homes and exacerbating food insecurity around the globe. "We are deeply concerned about the risks of human trafficking faced by individuals internally displaced by the war, as well as those fleeing Ukraine, an estimated 90% of whom are women and children," he said.