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

VIACHESLAV RATYNSKYI/REUTERS

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VIACHESLAV RATYNSKYI/REUTERS

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

VIACHESLAV RATYNSKYI/REUTERS

Here’s a glance forward and a roundup of key developments from the previous week.

What to observe

Conflict analysts are on the lookout for additional indicators that Ukraine could have entered a brand new, bolder part of its counteroffensive towards Russian forces.

Saudi Arabia will host Ukraine peace talks this weekend, the Wall Street Journal reported and Ukrainian officers confirmed, however Russia is outwardly not invited.

The United States will take over the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council for August, with a concentrate on meals safety following Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

A panel tasked with investigating allegations that South Africa supplied weapons to Russia is due to report its findings to the nation’s president quickly.

Friday will mark one yr since U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner was sentenced to jail in Russia. After months of negotiations with the U.S., Russia released her in December in alternate for the U.S. liberating a Russian arms vendor.

What occurred final week

Ukrainian forces launched a heavy assault within the Zaporizhzhia area, resulting in news reports saying Ukraine might be stepping up its counteroffensive. They recaptured a small village, Staromaiorske, from Russian forces. Ukrainian forces are preventing on at the least three main fronts within the south, east and northeast.

Over the weekend, Ukrainian drones damaged buildings in Moscow. “Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, although Ukraine has not formally claimed the drone assaults.

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted a summit with African leaders, promising free delivery of tens of 1000’s of tons of grain to Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Eritrea, Mali, Somalia and Zimbabwe. But he didn’t accede to the African leaders’ requests to renew the Black Sea grain deal permitting Ukrainian exports — a deal that Russia terminated earlier this month.

Russian lawmakers handed the next age restrict for navy conscription. Starting in January, males 18 to 30 must carry out military service or coaching for one yr, up from the present age cap of 27. They additionally authorised a measure to ban draftees from leaving the nation, after a draft order final yr set off a mad rush out of Russia.

The United States will present $400 million in navy help for Ukraine, the 43rd time President Biden is utilizing his drawdown authority to help Ukraine towards Russia’s invasion.

U.S. Marine veteran Trevor Reed was injured while fighting in Ukraine. Reed had been imprisoned in Russia and was freed as a part of a prisoner swap with the U.S. final yr. At some level he wound up becoming a member of Ukrainian forces, however the U.S. authorities stated Reed was not preventing on its behalf.

Ukraine determined to let its athletes participate in competitions during which Russians and Belarusians might be competing below impartial flags and never publicly help the conflict towards Ukraine.

In-depth

Ukraine’s troops are slowly pushing Russian forces out of occupied land.

Ukraine struggles to rebuild a navy destroyed by Russia.

Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar discusses Putin, Zelenskyy and the war in Ukraine.

The U.S. and Europe seek for new Ukraine export routes after Russia leaves the grain deal.

On the State of Ukraine podcast: Nobel Peace Prize winners say Ukraine needs more weapons to prevail against Russia.

Special report

Russia’s conflict in Ukraine is altering the world: See our report on its ripple effects in all corners of the globe.

Earlier developments

You can learn past recaps here. For context and extra in-depth tales, you’ll find extra of NPR’s coverage here. Also, hear and subscribe to NPR’s State of Ukraine podcast for updates all through the day.