Russia tries to break through front, Ukraine holds defense: ISW maps
Illustrative photo: Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers hold the enemy back along the entire front line (GettyImages)
Russian forces are preparing for a large-scale offensive on the Zaporizhzhia sector of the front. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are holding the defense in the Kharkiv, Luhansk, and Donetsk regions, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports.
On August 28, Russian troops continued offensive operations in the north of the Sumy region but failed to advance. On August 27–28, they attacked northwest of Sumy near Bezsalivka, and northeast of the city near Varachnye and Yunakivka.
Russian forces managed to advance east of Kozacha Lopan (north of Kharkiv) along the E-105 Kharkiv-Belgorod highway. On August 27–28, the enemy attacked Ukrainian positions north of Kharkiv near Hlyboke and Lyptsi, as well as northeast of Kharkiv near Vovchansk and Synelnykove.
On August 27, Russian troops also continued offensive actions toward Velykyi Burluk but made no confirmed gains.
On the Kupiansk axis, Russian forces continued their offensive on August 28 but did not advance.
A Ukrainian battalion commander reported that Russian forces cannot move heavy equipment or motorcycles across the Oskil River due to Ukrainian strikes, and that they are forced to cross the river at night on foot through shallow areas in groups of up to 20 soldiers.
On the Luhansk axis, Russian forces attacked on August 27–28 near Lyman and in all directions around it. A Russian milblogger claimed that water obstacles are slowing their advance in the Serebryanske Forest area.
In the Donetsk region on August 28, Russian forces continued offensive operations near Siversk and Chasiv Yar but made no advances.
Both Ukrainian and Russian forces recently made advances on the Pokrovsk axis.
A spokesperson for a Ukrainian brigade operating in this area reported that Russian forces continue attacking in small infantry groups, attempting to use small depots along their route to store weapons and ammunition. However, Ukrainian drone strikes are targeting and destroying both the supply groups and the depots themselves.
Russia may attempt new offensive operations in the Zaporizhzhia sector. A Ukrainian brigade spokesperson said that Russian troops are likely preparing a major assault there - amassing forces, bringing in reserves, regrouping, and conducting reconnaissance along the front line. They mostly move at night in small fire groups, have increased the use of drones, and intensified strikes on Ukrainian positions.
As previously reported, there were 137 combat slashes on the front as of the morning of August 28. The Pokrovsk axis remains the hottest.
The enemy carried out one combined missile-air strike and 50 airstrikes on Ukrainian positions and populated areas, launching 33 missiles and dropping 74 guided aerial bombs. Russians also conducted 2,276 kamikaze drone attacks and 3,619 artillery shellings.
