What did 31 July 2023 reveal about the war?

What did 31 July 2023 show about the war's reach? The day's reports pointed to violence against civilians in Ukraine, disruption inside Russia and pressure on those who oppose the Kremlin.

The heaviest toll came in Kryvyi Rih, in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. A Russian ballistic missile struck an apartment complex and a university building. At least six civilians were killed and 75 others were injured.

The strike followed a similar attack two days earlier. On 29 July 2023, a Russian missile strike on civilian infrastructure in Sumy killed two people and injured 20.

Drones over Moscow

The war also reached Russian territory. On 30 July 2023, Russia said it had destroyed three Ukrainian drones over Moscow. One person was injured, and officials closed Vnukovo International Airport to traffic.

Dissent and sanctions

Opposition to the Russian leadership featured in the day's news as well. On 31 July 2023, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on judges and officials involved in the prosecution of the activist Vladimir Kara-Murza. He had lost his appeal against a 25-year sentence for treason.

A day earlier, on 30 July 2023, anti-war activists protested in Belgrade, Serbia. Two prominent anti-war and anti-Putin activists had experienced problems trying to enter the country.

A day in outline

Taken together, the reports of 29 to 31 July 2023 describe a war that was killing and injuring civilians in Ukrainian cities and disrupting air traffic in Moscow. They also show that Russian critics of the government faced prosecution at home and obstacles abroad, and that the UK responded to one such case with sanctions.