Центр оборонних стратегій

Russia’s war on Ukraine. 26.08.24

In the operational zone of the Ukrainian Operational Group of Forces (OTG) “Kharkiv” on the Kharkiv direction, there were 4 enemy attacks in the areas of Lyptsi and Vovchansk.

In the “Khortytsia” Operational-Strategic Group of Forces (OSG) operational zone on the Kupyansk direction, 15 assaults took place near Petropavlivka, Synkivka, Kolisnykivka, Hlushkivka, Stelmakhivka, and in the direction of Lozova. On the Lyman direction, the enemy attacked 21 times, attempting to advance near 7 villages, focusing its main efforts in the Nevske area, where 9 assaults were carried out. On the Siversk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 7 enemy assaults near Spirne, Verkhnyokamianske, Vyimka, Bilohorivka, and Ivano-Dariivka. On the Kramatorsk direction, the occupiers attacked 13 times near Stupochky, Ivanivske, Andriivka, Hryhorivka, Klishchiivka, and most actively in the Chasiv Yar area. On the Toretsk direction, the enemy, supported by aviation, carried out 7 attacks near Nelipivka and Toretsk.

In the “Tavriya” OSG operational zoneon the Pokrovsk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces stopped 42 enemy assaults and offensive actions toward Sukha Balka, Vozdvyzhenka, Novooleksandrivka, Zelene Pole, Myrolyubivka, Kalynove, Marynivka, and Novohrodivka. Nearly half of the enemy’s attacks occurred in the area of Novohrodivka, which also suffered two unguided air launched rocket strikes. On the Kurakhove direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 20 attacks near Karlivka, Nevelske, Pervomaiske, Heorhiivka, Mykhailivka, and Kostyantynivka. On the Vremivka direction, the enemy launched 10 assaults on our positions near Vodyane, Kostyantynivka, and Vuhledar. On the Hulyaipole and Orikhiv directions, the occupiers did not conduct active offensive operations yesterday.

In the operational zone of “Odesa” OSG on the Prydniprovskiy direction, Russian invaders attacked twice but were met with fierce resistance, suffered losses, and retreated. The enemy bombed the Tokarivka area with 5 KAB bombs.

General conclusion:

  • The enemy continues to deploy a defensive grouping in Kursk Oblast.
  • The enemy’s “Zapad (West)” Operational Grouping is attempting to increase the intensity of combat operations in the Kupyansk direction.
  • The enemy has advanced near Novotoretsk, Mykhailivka, Yasnobrodivka, as well as in Kostyantynivka, Novohrodivka, and Zalizne.
  • The enemy has resumed activity west of Krasnohorivka, attacking the positions of the 46th Separate Airborne Brigade of Ukrainian Defense Forces.
  • Belarus has concentrated a military grouping in Gomel Oblast under the guise of exercises.

Change in the line of contact (LoC):

  • There were 146 combat engagements on various fronts.
  • On the Kursk Direction: Russian forces have regained lost positions in Komarovka and continue to repel attacks by the “Siversk” OTG in this area. They have also regained control over Olgovka and Kremyanoe and are advancing west of Kremyanoe, attacking near Russkoe Porechie, Cherkasskoe Porechie, and Martynovka. Ukrainian forces maintain control over Kremyanoe and have encircled units of the 18th Motorized Rifle Division of the 11th Army Corps in Malaya Loknya. The 810th Separate Marines Brigade and the 1427th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Territorial Troops are attempting to break the encirclement and unblock them.
  • Russian forces have recaptured and cleared Spalnoe, repelling Ukrainian attacks in the direction of Borki and Spalnoe.
  • On the Kharkiv direction, fighting continued near Hlyboke, Lyptsi, and in Vovchansk. The enemy is using infantry groups near Hlyboke and Lyptsi to identify Ukrainian artillery positions.
  • On the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces continued their offensive near Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Hlushkivka, Kolisnykivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Stelmakhivka, Pershotravneve, and Proletarske.
  • On the Lyman direction, the enemy attacked near Hrekivka, Makiivka, Druzhelyubivka, Novosadove, Nevske, Torske, and Dibrova.
  • On the Siversk Direction, Russian forces continued offensive operations in the area of Bilohorivka, Verkhnyokamianske, Vyimka, and Spirne.
  • On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces continued their offensive in the area of Chasiv Yar, advancing northwest of Klishchiivka, in the area of Kalynivka, Hryhorivka, Stupochky, Predtechyne, and Andriivka.
  • On the Toretsk direction, Russian forces advanced further along the eastern outskirts of Toretsk, moving west across the “Siversky Donets–Donbas” canal, south of Ozaryanivka, within the New York area, and attacked near Dyliivka, Druzhba, Pivnichne, and Nelipivka.
  • On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces advanced within the southern and eastern parts of Novohrodivka, reaching the outskirts of Marynivka, north of Kalynove, along the Karlivka reservoir, east of Kalynove, and continued offensive actions in the areas of Vozdvyzhenka, Zelene Pole, Myrolyubivka, Hrodivka, Krutyi Yar, Krasnyi Yar, Ptyche, and Karlivka.
  • On the Kurakhove direction, Russian forces continued offensive actions in the area of Krasnohorivka and Heorhiivka.
  • On the Vremivka direction, the enemy advanced in the southern part of Kostyantynivka, reached the Kostyantynivka-Vuhledar section of O0532 (T0524) highway, southeast of Vodyane, and attacked near Katerynivka, Vodyane, and Vuhledar.
  • On the Orikhiv direction, fighting continued in the areas of Novoandriivka, Shcherbaky, and Mala Tokmachka.
  • Ukrainian Defense Forces’ aviation carried out an airstrike on Vasylivka.
  • In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, the enemy naval group on combat duty consists of:
    • Black Sea: 4 ships, including 4 cruise missile carriers; the total salvo is 28 cruise missiles.
    • Mediterranean Sea: 3 ships, including 0 cruise missile carriers; the total salvo is 0 cruise missiles.

Changes in the enemy disposition:

  • The 31st Separate Air Assault Brigade operates on the Kherson direction.
  • Units of the 24th Separate SOF Brigade are active near Kreminna.
  • The 11th Tank Regiment of the 18th Motorized Rifle Division of the 11th Army Corps continues to operate near Hlyboke, while the 7th Separate Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 11th Army Corps is positioned near Lukyantsi.
  • The 217th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 98th Airborne Division arrived in Kursk Oblast from its permanent base in Ivanovo Oblast, along with the 51st Airborne Regiment of the 106th Airborne Division, which arrived from the Siversk direction.

Possible operation situation developments:

  • The development of the “Siversk” OSG operation will require the enemy’s command on the theater of war to regroup forces towards the Kursk direction from other operational zones, primarily from the “Zapad (West),” “Yug (South),” and “Vostok (East)” Operational Groupings. We should expect the redeployment of the 47th Tank Division of the 1st Tank Army from the Kupyansk direction, the 6th Motorized Rifle Division and the 72nd Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 3rd Army Corps from the Kramatorsk direction, and parts of the 35th Combined Arms Army from the Orikhiv direction.
  • On the Pokrovsk direction, the enemy will likely attempt to cut off the Pokrovsk–Kostyantynivka highway and prepare for an assault on the Pokrovsk–Myrnohrad agglomeration. It can be assumed that the enemy will reach the city by mid-September, but they will not be able to capture it. The open terrain, which is unfavorable for an offensive, and potential counterattacks from the Selydove and Kostyantynivka areas will slow their advance.
  • The enemy’s advance through Hrodivka on the Pokrovsk direction is likely to slow down as Russian forces begin fighting in an urban environment. It will be difficult for them to maintain their current pace of advance, particularly as they attempt to push further west towards Myrnohrad and Pokrovsk, as these cities are even more urbanized.
  • By the end of this year, the enemy will not only fail to occupy Donetsk Oblast within its administrative borders but also will be unable to seize the “fortress belt” of Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka-Kramatorsk-Slovyansk. The upcoming battle for Pokrovsk will be the climax of the enemy’s offensive operation on the Southwestern theater of war in 2024.

Russian operational losses from 24.02.22 to 26.08.24  

Personnel – almost 608,820 (+1140); 

Tanks 8,551 (+4);

Armored combat vehicles – 16,648 (+17); 

Artillery systems – 17,443 (+47);

Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,172 (+1);

Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 937 (+1);

Vehicles and fuel tanks – 23,555 (+80);

Aircraft – 367 (0);

Helicopters – 328 (0);

UAV operational and tactical level – 14,134 (+39);

Intercepted cruise missiles – 2,444 (0);

Boats/ships – 29 (0).

Humanitarian+general:

  • On August 26, Russian invaders carried out one of the largest attacks on Ukraine, using more than a hundred missiles of various types and around 100 Shahed drones, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. As a result of the massive Russian attack on the energy infrastructure, 15 regions of Ukraine were affected. As of 14:30, it was reported that 5 people were killed, and 30 were injured.
  • Due to the massive Russian attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Ukrenergo is introducing emergency power outages across the country.
  • On the morning of August 26, the Russians attempted to destroy the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant using various types of missiles and drones. While there were impacts and damage, the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Plant did not suffer critical damage.
  • In Kyiv, there were disruptions to electricity and water supplies on the morning of August 26 due to the Russian air attack. Due to the challenging situation in the energy sector, a decision was made to deploy resilience points.
  • In Kyiv Oblast, three people, including a five-month-old baby, were injured as a result of the Russian air attack on the morning of August 26. Two energy facilities were also damaged.
  • The massive attack caused power outages for consumers in the city of Khmelnytskyi and the Khmelnytskyi OTG. Additionally, electricity was absent in parts of the Khmelnytskyi district.
  • A man was killed, and two others were injured as a result of a missile strike on a civilian enterprise in the Izium district.
  • In Lutsk, a multi-apartment building and an infrastructure facility were damaged by a Russian attack, resulting in one death and five injuries.
  • In Rivne, following a morning strike on infrastructure, the regional water utility system was connected to a generator. In Zhytomyr, city hospitals are operating on generators, which will also power the water utility facilities to supply water according to a schedule.
  • The enemy attacked energy facilities in Lviv Oblast, hitting a critical infrastructure facility in the Drohobych district. Due to this, there were partial power outages in Lviv and the region.
  • In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, an energy infrastructure facility was hit, causing a fire. Information on the consequences is being clarified.
  • On the morning of August 26, the Russian armed forces carried out a combined attack on Odesa Oblast. The enemy targeted the region’s civilian and energy infrastructure. Preliminary reports indicate that seven local residents, including boys aged 7 and 10 and a 10-year-old girl, were injured to varying degrees.
  • Russian troops struck an industrial facility in Poltava Oblast on the morning of August 26, injuring five people.
  • The aggressor launched a massive attack on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in the morning. Explosions occurred in the Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih districts. Preliminary reports indicate one fatality, a 69-year-old man.
  • In Zaporizhzhia district, a man was killed by a Russian strike near a private house, and a woman was injured.
  • Ukrzaliznytsia announced several power outages in various regions of the country due to the large-scale missile attack. Backup diesel locomotives were deployed, and all long-distance trains continued to run. A railway infrastructure facility in Sumy Oblast was hit, damaging the contact network and buildings. The assistant driver was also injured but was promptly hospitalized, and there is no threat to his life.
  • In Vinnytsia Oblast, missiles and their fragments damaged a critical infrastructure facility in the town of Bar and residential buildings in the Luka-Meleskivska community of Vinnytsia district.
  • During today’s attack, Russian occupiers launched at least six missiles at Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and traffic across the DniproHES dam was halted.
  • In Prykarpattia, the Russians hit an infrastructure facility, injuring three people. Information on the damage is being clarified.
  • On the night and morning of August 26, the Russian army once again shelled the Nikopol district of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with artillery and attacked with a kamikaze drone. There were no casualties.
  • Around 13:00, the Russian army fired on the Dnipro district of Kherson from the temporarily occupied left bank, injuring four people.
  • Over the past day, Russian troops shelled 11 settlements in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, injuring one person.
  • On August 25, Russian invaders killed three and injured four residents of Donetsk Oblast.

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