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It's July 18, 2023 and this is your DSR Daily Brief. I'm Chris Cotnor.

And I'm Riley Fessler.

Our top stories from international outlets this morning. Russia launched missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's port of Odessa a day after pulling out of a UN-backed grain export deal.

Ukrainian officials accused Russia of trying to resume its offensive in the east.

The attacks on Ukraine's ports came as retaliation for blasts on Russia's road bridge to Crimea, which Moscow claimed were caused by Ukrainian seaboard drones.

The Russian attacks damage homes and port infrastructure while Ukrainian forces shot down several missiles and drones.

UN warned that Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal could lead to hunger worldwide.

Ukraine is seeking to continue the deal without Russia's participation. The slow Ukrainian counteroffensive has made limited gains, but it has yet to confront the main Russian defensive line.

Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces has seen limited progress, but lacks large-scale operations that could achieve a breakthrough according to officials and analysts.

Ukrainian forces have been firing artillery and missiles and sending small teams to clear minefields, but concerns have arisen about Ukraine's ability to match Russia's finite supply of munitions and arms.

The Ukrainian military has embraced an attrition-based approach, focused on weakening Russia's defenses rather than coordinated maneuvers involving tanks, armored vehicles, and air power.

Although progress has been slower than hoped, Ukraine's tactics aimed to minimize loss as well advancing on-foot, employing sappers and infantry teams.

However, these tactics come with trade-offs as advances may be slower and lack the potential for rapid breakthroughs.

Ukraine has received support from the U.S., which provided training and wind clearing equipment, and recently authorized the provision of cluster munitions.

Ukraine seeks western air power to offset its disadvantages, but faces challenges due to Russia's extensive air defenses.

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