Former Ukrainian minister Dmytro Kuleba warns of 'total economic war' as civilian casualties in July reach their highest level since April 2022.
Key facts
- •July recorded the highest number of civilian deaths in Ukraine since April 2022.
- •Russia has destroyed all petrol stations on the route between Kharkiv and Poltava.
- •Nearly 200 missiles have been fired at the port of Odessa and its surroundings in the last three weeks.
- •Former minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that the destruction of logistics hubs marks a shift toward total economic warfare.
- •Reports of the fall of Kostiantynivka have been officially denied.
Civilian casualties in Ukraine reached their highest level in July since April 2022, according to recent reports. Former Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba warned that the conflict is shifting toward a total economic war, characterized by systematic destruction of infrastructure on both sides.
Escalation of Economic Warfare
Kuleba stated that both nations possess sufficient drone and missile capabilities to target each other's economies. He noted that while Ukraine has largely maintained stable supermarket prices and supply levels since the 2022 invasion, the current destruction of logistics hubs and ports is expected to cause significant disruptions to the supply of imported goods.
Current Battlefield Developments
Recent Russian strikes have targeted civilian infrastructure, including the destruction of all petrol stations along the road between Kharkiv and Poltava. While reports suggested the town of Kostiantynivka had fallen, those claims are false. Additionally, a video claiming a Russian soldier captured the village of Bilyi Kolodiaz in the Kharkiv region appears to have been manipulated.
Impact on Maritime Logistics
Over the past three weeks, Russia has launched nearly 200 missiles at the port of Odessa and its surrounding areas. According to the Ukrainian account Oko Hora, these attacks caused exports to cease for at least one week and led foreign merchant ships to stop calling at Ukrainian ports.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by EUobserver.
