Russia said on Monday that its forces had taken control of two settlements in the Kharkov region in northeastern Ukraine, while Ukraine claimed to have repelled Russian attacks in multiple directions.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported Monday that Russia's Black Sea Fleet destroyed an uncrewed surface vessel, and its unmanned aerial vehicles struck four bulk carriers ferrying military cargo that supported military operations of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The ministry said that two bulk carriers unloading military supplies were targeted at the port of Mykolaiv, a river port situated on the Southern Bug River, about 65 kilometers inland from the Black Sea. Two other cargo ships carrying military supplies were attacked in Black Sea waters.
Meanwhile, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on the same day that 207 combat engagements were recorded along the front lines over the past day.
The General Staff said Ukrainian troops repelled Russian attacks in multiple directions.
Ukrainian missile and artillery forces struck Russian personnel concentration areas, drone control points and command posts in the day, according to the report.
In addition, the Russian army lost 1,657 operational-tactical level drones, the report said.
Meanwhile, Russian officials said on Monday that the latest wave of Ukrainian drone attacks on the Vladimir Oblast in central Russia, and the Belgorod Oblast and the Krasnodar Krai in southwestern Russia caused multiple deaths and injuries. Citing press office of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Enerhoder in southeastern Ukraine, Russian media outlets reported on Monday that the Ukrainian Armed Forces used drones to remotely mine roads in the industrial zone and at the entrance to Energodar.
As a result of an explosion on one of the mined sections, four employees of the nuclear power plant were injured on their way to work, the report said.
The Zaporizhzhia plant, one of Europe's largest nuclear power facilities, has been under Russian control since March 2022. It has been repeatedly shelled or attacked by drones, raising international concerns about its safety.
Russia claims control of two more settlements, Ukraine reports repelling Russian attacks
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Monday that its ongoing maritime blockade against Iran has redirected 44 commercial vessels, while a top Iranian military advisor warned that Iran will not tolerate any U.S. attempt to establish shipping lanes other than those designated by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on social media platform X, the command said that U.S. forces continue to strictly enforce the U.S. blockade against Iran. As of Monday, CENTCOM has redirected 44 commercial vessels, disabled two, and boarded two, it said.
On the same day, Mohsen Rezaei, military advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader, issued a firm warning over U.S. actions in the key shipping chokepoint.
Rezaei told media that Iran will never allow the United States to establish shipping routes outside those designated by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that even U.S. warships deployed along such routes would be treated as targets.
Rezaei stressed that while Iran does not seek war, its armed forces are fully prepared and ready to fight for the country. He called on the United States to change its behavior and comply with the terms of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries in June, cautioning that otherwise U.S. warships would face serious danger and Iran's armed forces would not stand by.
Separately, Rezaei revealed that Iran had previously prepared to carry out strikes on three locations in Ukraine but called off the plan after Ukraine issued an apology.
The planned retaliation followed a Ukrainian strike on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea on July 25, which killed one sailor and wounded three others.
On June 18, Iran and the United States signed the MoU, under which the two countries were scheduled to hold negotiations within a 60-day period to reach a final agreement. However, the talks' fate is hanging in the balance due to the recent escalation between the two sides.
The U.S. military launched multiple waves of strikes against Iranian targets last month, saying they were in response to Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and aimed at "degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping." Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting U.S. military bases and facilities in the region.
U.S. says 44 commercial ships redirected under blockade, Iran warns on Hormuz routes
