Russian shelling destroys pipeline in Kharkiv, leaves thousands without gas supply

As war between Moscow and Kyiv continues unabated, Ukraine claimed that shelling by Russian military damd a pipeline in Kharkiv Oblast on Monday, July 25. According to Department of Housing and Public Utilities of Kharkiv, dam to pipeline has rendered at least a thousand homes without gas supply. It furr stated that work is being carried out by Armed Forces to restore gas supply in settlements. "Restoration work will continue until gas is fully turned on to all households," department stated on Telegram. 

Meanwhile, JSC 'Kharkivgaz' - General Electric Contractors in Kharkiv - has asked its consumers to turn off taps in front of gas appliances on ir own until repairs are carried out. Furr, he of Kharkiv Regional Military ministration alleged that Russian forces also launched rocket attacks on residential areas on Tuesday morning. "At about 5 o’clock in morning, occupiers attacked civilian infrastructure of Kharkiv’s Slobid district. As a result of shelling, roof of a car dealership building was set on fire. A few more shells hit open areas," Oleg Sinegubov wrote on Telegram. 

It would be difficult for occupiers to seize control of Kharkiv: Ukrainian Army

In response to speculations that Russia might be preparing to occupy war-torn nation's second-largest city, Kharkiv, a Ukrainian army commander claimed that it would be difficult for occupiers to seize control of region. General Sergei Melnik, Chief of Kharkiv Garrison, stressed that occupiers can't move even one meter forward. "y don't have eugh forces to take Kharkiv region," he told Associated Press (AP).  According to Institute for Study of War (ISW), a research organisation based in United States, Russian President Vlimir Putin may have ordered his troops to occupy Kharkiv and surrounding areas.

Ukraine claims to have killed about 39,870 Russian soldiers so far 

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Defence Ministry claimed that Russia has also incurred heavy casualties since onset of war in late February. In its latest operational update, ministry claimed that Russia has lost nearly 39,870 soldiers, 3,959 Armored Personnel Vehicles (APV), 1,737 tanks, 880 artillery systems and 258 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), and at least 117 anti-aircraft warfare. In dition, invers also lost as many as 2,835 vehicles and fuel tanks, 722 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), 222 aircraft, 189 helicopters, 174 cruise missiles, 75 special equipment and 15 boats, Ukrainian Defence Ministry stated in a Facebook post.

Im: AP/Telegram/Kharkiv OVA