Latest in Ukraine: Ukraine's counteroffensive makes some gains

Local residents inspect a crater left after a Russian missile strike in Zaporizhzhia, July 29. VIACHESLAV RATYNSKYI/REUTERS hide caption

toggle caption VIACHESLAV RATYNSKYI/REUTERS

Local residents inspect a crater left after a Russian missile strike in Zaporizhzhia, July 29.

VIACHESLAV RATYNSKYI/REUTERS

Here's a look ahead and a roundup of key developments from the past week.

What to watch

Conflict analysts are looking for further signs that Ukraine may have entered a new, bolder phase of its counteroffensive against Russian forces.

this weekend, the reported and Ukrainian officials confirmed, but Russia is apparently.

The United States will take over the rotating with a focus on food security following Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

its findings to the country's president soon.

Friday will mark one year since U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner was sentenced to prison in Russia. After months of negotiations with the U.S., Russia in exchange for the U.S. freeing a Russian arms dealer.

What happened last week

Ukrainian forces launched a heavy assault in the Zaporizhzhia region, leading to saying Ukraine could be its . They recaptured a small village, Staromaiorske, from Russian forces. Ukrainian forces are fighting on at least three major fronts in the south, east and northeast.

Over the weekend, Ukrainian drones "Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia," Ukrainian President Volodymyr though Ukraine has not officially claimed the drone attacks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted a summit with African leaders, of tens of thousands of tons of grain to Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Eritrea, Mali, Somalia and Zimbabwe. But he did not accede to the African leaders' requests to resume the Black Sea grain deal allowing Ukrainian exports — a deal that Russia terminated earlier this month.

or training for one year, up from the current age cap of 27. They also approved a measure to the country, after a draft order last year out of Russia.

The United States will provide $400 million in military assistance for Ukraine, President Biden is using his drawdown authority to support Ukraine against Russia's invasion.

U.S. Marine veteran Trevor Reed was in Ukraine. Reed had been imprisoned in Russia and was freed as part of a with the U.S. last year. At some point he wound up joining Ukrainian forces, but the U.S. government said Reed was not fighting on its behalf.

Ukraine decided to take part in competitions in which Russians and Belarusians will be competing under neutral flags and not publicly support the war against Ukraine.

In-depth

Ukraine's troops are slowlyof occupied land.

Ukraine struggles to rebuild .

Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar discusses .

The U.S. and Europe search for new .

On the podcast: Nobel Peace Prize winners say .

Special report

Russia's war in Ukraine is changing the world:

Earlier developments

You can read . For context and more in-depth stories, you can find more of . Also, listen and subscribe to NPR's for updates throughout the day.

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