All articles tagged with #isw assessment
ISW reports Russian offensives across Sumy, Kharkiv and other sectors on Aug 15–16 yielded no confirmed ground advances; Moscow is increasingly using small infiltration groups (1–3 soldiers), glide bombs, and drones to probe Ukrainian defenses and disrupt logistics, while claims of gains are disputed and Ukrainian forces continue to hold key positions amid ongoing strikes.
During Putin’s visit to China, Moscow and Beijing did not secure a Power of Siberia-2 pipeline deal, signing only minor bilateral accords. Meanwhile Ukraine is regaining tactical momentum across multiple fronts, recapturing Kupyansk and pushing in western Zaporizhzhia, while Russian forces push elsewhere. Kyiv’s long-range strikes hit Russian oil refining and energy facilities, constraining production, and a broad Russian missile/drone campaign targeted Ukrainian infrastructure. Ukrainian sources claim high Russian casualties and Moscow’s recruitment is lagging, with ISW noting redeployments from Kupyansk to Lyman and ongoing infiltration efforts. Overall, Ukraine appears to be tightening its grip on several sectors as Moscow reorients to defense and rear-area priorities.
ISW notes Moscow remains committed to its original war aims and rejects Western security guarantees as talks with Ukraine and the United States resume in Abu Dhabi; Russia is expanding recruitment for its Unmanned Systems Forces and intensifying mobilization tactics while Ukraine names a defense-tech advisor. Fighting continues across Kharkiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson fronts with broad drone and missile strikes, and Belarus is pulling its military-industrial base closer to Russia. Western pressure could push concessions, but no durable peace breakthrough is evident.