Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) examined the deployment of Russian forces and separatist units in Ukraine. According to their data, six groupings were established: near Kharkiv (the Western Military District); along the Izium-Sloviansk axis (volunteer battalions and units of the Eastern Military District); in the Seversk and Lysychansk region (the Central Military District, units of the Luhansk People’s Republic and of the Western Military District); around Bakhmut (the Wagner Group, units of the Luhansk People’s Republic and of the Western Military District); in the Avdiivka and Donetsk area (units of the Luhansk People’s Republic); and in southern Ukraine (the Southern Military District, Eastern Military District, airborne troops, Rosgvardiya forces). This deployment pattern suggested that Russia’s strategic priorities were centred on Bakhmut and Seversk. 

On 15 August, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine extended martial law for another 90 days, until 21 November 2022. 

On 17 August, the ISW analysts reported on a Russian disinformation campaign aimed at diverting attention from Russia’s violations of international law and from calls to label it as a state sponsor of terrorism. This campaign sought to portray Ukraine’s attacks on Russian military assets in Crimea as acts of terrorism. According to the ISW, Russia falsely presented Ukraine’s strikes on the Black Sea Fleet headquarters, an ammunition depot and an airbase, as acts of terrorism. 

The ISW also found that Russia had been laying the groundwork for a provocation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, aiming to shift blame for any potential consequences of the attack onto the Ukrainian authorities. On 18 August, the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, met with the Turkish President, Recep Erdogan, and Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, in Lviv. During this tripartite meeting, they discussed the security of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the grain export agreement, and the exchange of prisoners.

On 23 August, it was reported that Russia had confirmed the deportation of Ukrainian children for adoption by Russian families (source: ISW). According to reports, the Department for Family and Children Affairs in Krasnodar Krai announced a programme under which more than 1,000 children had been deported from Mariupol to Tyumen, Irkutsk, Kemerovo, and Altai Krai, where they were placed with Russian families. 

On 24 August, Ukraine’s Independence Day, a massive rocket barrage and artillery fire targeted 58 towns, including Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia. At least 25 people were killed. 

On 25 August, the Enerhodar nuclear power plant, occupied by Russian forces, was disconnected from the power grid due to fires triggered by Russian shelling. Iodine tablets were distributed to residents living near the plant. 

On 27 August, the General Staff of Ukraine reported that the Russian offensive toward Sloviansk, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and north of Donetsk, had been halted. 

Illustrative photo. Generated by AI