Ukraine: Military operations continue in southern and eastern regions as of Aug. 31 /update 236

Event

Combat operations are ongoing in Ukraine's Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions as of Aug. 31. Ukrainian forces continue to conduct offensive operations south of Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia Region and along most of the line of contact in Donetsk Region, particularly around Bakhmut and Staromaiorske. Russian troops conducted limited attacks in the Kharkiv and Luhansk regions throughout the reporting period without registering any major gains. Over the past week, Russian airstrikes intermittently targeted the Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Kyiv, and Kirovohrad regions.

Russian forces are continuing attempts to test Ukrainian defensive lines in the Kupyansk area of Kharkiv Region. Ukrainian authorities are continuing efforts to evacuate settlements that may soon fall within the conflict area. However, a limited number of civilians have refused to leave their homes. Heavy artillery exchanges are ongoing in the Kupyansk area and in the northern and eastern parts of Kharkiv Region.

Heavy combat has continued in the Donetsk Region. Ukrainian troops are maintaining pressure on Russian forces south of Bakhmut, particularly in the Klishchiivka and Kurdymivka areas. Elsewhere in the region, Ukrainian forces are reportedly advancing towards Pryiutne from the recently liberated settlement of Rivnopil. In the Zaporizhzhia Region, Ukrainian forces captured the town of Robotyne and are reportedly advancing southward in the direction of Novoprokopivka. Reports also suggest that a limited number of Ukrainian forces have penetrated Russian defenses in Verbove, around 8 km (5 miles) east of Robotyne.

Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian-occupied territory have increased sharply over the reporting period. Russian authorities reported 42 loitering munitions targeting military objectives in Russia-annexed Crimea on Aug. 25. Additionally, Russian occupation officials in both Crimea and the Donetsk Region report an increase in pro-Ukrainian partisan activity; however, this remains unconfirmed.

Russian drone and missile attacks continued Aug. 24-31. Russian loitering munitions and missiles targeted the Kharkiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kirovohrad, Kyiv, Dnipro, Poltava, and Kryvyi Rih regions. Although Russian missile attacks on the coastline and port facilities have significantly decreased, further strikes against coastal objectives remain possible in the short- and medium-term.

Context

Ukraine's methodical counteroffensive actions will likely continue to focus on three main areas in the immediate term: Bakhmut and the Mokri Yaly River areas in the Donetsk Region, and areas south of Orikhiv in the Zaporizhzhia Region. Kyiv’s forces will likely continue attempts to advance in the direction of Tokmak from the Robotyne salient in the Zaporizhzhia Region in a likely effort to seize control of transport routes through the area, hampering Russian logistics. However, Russian forces remain well entrenched along most of the line of contact and continue to conduct counterattacks to slow and occasionally reverse Ukrainian advances.

Russian airstrikes, which increased sharply following the July 17 expiration of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, have reportedly decreased. Russian naval forces continue to be deployed on the Black Sea, likely to target industrial and port infrastructure on the coastline; however, no credible naval blockade can currently be implemented, according to Ukrainian military reporting. At least two civilian cargo vessels have navigated from Odesa to Istanbul, Turkiye, since Ukrainian authorities announced a sea corridor on Aug. 8 following the expiration of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. While it is likely that additional civilian vessels will chart this course in the coming weeks the threat of harassment or boarding by Russian naval vessels remains high.

Advice

Avoid travel to active conflict zones in the Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions of Ukraine; consider leaving these areas by available ground transport if safe to do so. Exercise extreme caution if operating anywhere in Ukraine. Download the AirAlert mobile application to receive an air-alert notification from the Civil Defense System in your chosen city or region of Ukraine. You should shelter in place if there is fighting or airstrikes in the area. Stay away from windows and exterior walls if officials report incoming rocket or artillery fire. Follow the instructions of local security personnel, especially when instructed to seek refuge in air-raid shelters. Maintain contact with diplomatic representations. Due to the threat of unexploded ordnance, avoid off-road travel. Travel on well-used routes only. Do not approach suspected unexploded ordnance. Be aware of possible booby traps in areas previously occupied by Russian forces.