Archived operational intelligence briefing
TIME: 281857Z AUG 25
1.1. Battlefield Geometry and Key Terrain
OVERALL OPERATIONAL PICTURE (Continued RF Multi-Domain Offensive with Mass Civilian Casualties, Strategic Targeting, and Naval Engagements – Heightened Diplomatic & IO Activity – RF Internal Counter-Sabotage, Training, and Logistical Challenges – UAF Continues Deep Strikes and Multi-Domain Defense – NEW: F-16 Crashes in Poland, Drone Alerts in Lipetsk Oblast, Azerbaijani Embassy Damaged, RF Claims Five UAVs Destroyed – CURRENT: RF claims further advances in Kupyansk, UAF denies, UAF continues to degrade RF air defense): The Russian Federation (RF) maintains a high-tempo multi-domain offensive against Ukraine. The previous mass air assault on Kyiv resulted in a confirmed 21 fatalities (including four children and a 60-year-old Azerbaijani national), 38 injured, and 9 still missing. Extensive damage to civilian, governmental, financial, and diplomatic infrastructure is widespread, including damage to the Azerbaijani Embassy (ASTRA). Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) deep strike operations continue effectively within RF territory (Kuybyshevsky oil refinery in Samara) and against logistical nodes (GUR strike on Tver railway station infrastructure). Naval engagements are intense, with GUR striking a "Buyan-M" class corvette and RF striking a UAF naval vessel. RF continues to claim localized ground gains (Nelepovka, northern Kupyansk, ongoing pressure near Chasiv Yar and Konstantinovka). CURRENT: RF claims further encirclement of Kupyansk and advances into its suburbs (TASS Ganchev). UAF denies these claims. RF MoD has released multiple videos attempting to show the destruction of the UAF "Simferopol" reconnaissance ship by USV, a claim UAF has partially corroborated with a hit vessel and casualty. Crimea Bridge traffic was temporarily suspended, but has resumed. A VGTRK operator was injured by a mine in Kursk Oblast. RF is also using North Korean 240mm M1991 MLRS in the SVO zone. Dnipropetrovsk Oblast reports one fatality and five injured from enemy strikes in Synelnykivskyi district. RF forces are conducting artillery training (Kadyrov_95) and demonstrating a "BEC" (likely USV/UAV) in action (Два майора). A youth was killed and another injured by an "unidentified device" in Tuva, RF. RF attack helicopters are reportedly active against UAF command posts and UAV take-off areas. CURRENT: SBU reports hitting 17 RF air defense, EW, and radar systems in less than a week. (HIGH CONFIDENCE) NEW: An F-16 aircraft belonging to the Polish Air Force crashed during a training flight before an air show in Radom, with the pilot confirmed deceased (Colonelcassad, Оперативний ЗСУ, ASTRA, РБК-Україна, Операция Z, Alex Parker Returns, Fighterbomber). Multiple videos show the crash, explosion, and smoke plume (HIGH CONFIDENCE). RF has reported a "red" threat level for UAV attacks in Lipetsk Oblast (Игорь Артамонов), and RF MoD claims to have destroyed five Ukrainian UAVs over Kursk, Bryansk Oblasts, and the Black Sea (ТАСС) (HIGH CONFIDENCE). Colonelcassad reports Russian aviation continues to strike UAF strongholds in Vovchansk with FABs (HIGH CONFIDENCE). Kotsnews and WarGonzo reiterate claims of the "Simferopol" strike with new footage (HIGH CONFIDENCE). ASTRA reports two injured in Bryansk Oblast after Ukrainian drone attacks (HIGH CONFIDENCE). Народная милиция ДНР shows images of destroyed residential buildings and BTRs, and interviews with civilians, highlighting the conflict's impact (HIGH CONFIDENCE). Оперативний ЗСУ shows drone footage of an Omega special forces unit striking enemy personnel in cover (HIGH CONFIDENCE). Brave1 (Ukrainian initiative) announces grant competitions for tactical missiles, AI drones, and explosives (DeepState) (HIGH CONFIDENCE).
Central/Northern Ukraine (Intensified and Lethal Air Offensive - Critical Humanitarian Impact - Expanded Strategic Targeting - Innovative Air Defense - Ongoing Drone/Ballistic Threat - Increased Casualties - NEW: Azerbaijani Embassy Damaged, Drone Alerts in Lipetsk Oblast – CURRENT: RF UAV detected near Brovary, Kyiv Oblast; UAF continues to degrade RF air defenses):
RF Internal (Persistent Oil Refinery Fires, Sabotage Arrests, Increased Internal Security and Digital Control, Veteran Status for Contractors, Media Casualty, Anti-Corruption focus, New Tactical Robotic System, North Korean MLRS, Civilian Casualties from UAF Strikes - NEW: Drone Alerts in Lipetsk Oblast, Bryansk Casualties, RF Claims Five UAVs Destroyed – CURRENT: Coercive mobilization practices highlighted): "KiberBoroshno" provides new photo evidence of a large-scale fire after a UAV attack on the Kuybyshevsky oil refinery in Samara, confirmed by ASTRA and Sentinel imagery as ongoing (min. two tanks burning). GUR claims to have destroyed railway station infrastructure in Tver. A VGTRK operator was injured by a mine in Kursk Oblast. NEW: The governor of Lipetsk Oblast, Igor Artamonov, announced a "red" threat level for UAV attacks across the region (HIGH CONFIDENCE). ASTRA reports two injured in Bryansk Oblast after Ukrainian drone attacks (HIGH CONFIDENCE). ТАСС reports Russian air defense destroyed five Ukrainian UAVs over Kursk, Bryansk Oblasts, and the Black Sea (MEDIUM CONFIDENCE). (HIGH CONFIDENCE)
Naval Operations (Sea of Azov/Black Sea - GUR Strike on Buyan-M, UAF Naval Vessel Hit, RF Claims of "Simferopol" Sinking - Crimea Bridge Traffic Suspended/Resumed - NEW: RF Claims Five UAVs Destroyed – CURRENT: RF continues to push narrative of UAF vessel sinking): GUR forces have successfully struck a Russian Project 21631 "Buyan-M" class missile corvette, a Kalibr missile carrier, in the Sea of Azov, damaging its radar system. RF MoD has released multiple videos allegedly showing a Russian unmanned surface vessel (USV) sinking the Ukrainian medium reconnaissance ship "Simferopol" at the mouth of the Danube. UAF Navy spokesperson Pletenchuk states RF hit one of the Ukrainian Navy's ships, with one fatality. Crimea Bridge traffic was temporarily suspended, but has resumed. NEW: Kotsnews and WarGonzo reiterate claims of the "Simferopol" strike with new footage from a "sea drone on the Danube" and thermal imaging, respectively, stating "Defeat of 'Simferopol' confirmed" (HIGH CONFIDENCE). ТАСС reports Russian air defense destroyed five Ukrainian UAVs, some over the Black Sea (MEDIUM CONFIDENCE). (HIGH CONFIDENCE)
Eastern Front (Donetsk/Kharkiv - RF Claims, UAF Counter-Attacks, Severe Damage - New Ground Activity, RF Training, North Korean MLRS - NEW: Russian Aviation Strikes in Vovchansk, UAF Omega Unit Strikes Enemy Personnel – CURRENT: RF claims advances in Kupyansk suburbs, UAF counter-attacks in Vovchansk):
Northern Border (Sumy/Kharkiv/Kursk - Persistent UAV/KAB Threat, RF Border Measures, Media Casualty, RF Border Farmer-Defense, Civilian Casualties - NEW: Bryansk Casualties, RF Claims Five UAVs Destroyed – CURRENT: UAF counter-attacks in Vovchansk reported): UAF General Staff reports repelling 9 Russian army assaults in Kursk and North Slobozhansky (Sumy) directions. KABs are active over Sumy and Kharkiv. A VGTRK operator was injured by a mine in Kursk Oblast. ASTRA reports two civilians injured in Belgorod Oblast due to UAF drone strikes. NEW: ASTRA reports two injured in Bryansk Oblast after Ukrainian drone attacks (HIGH CONFIDENCE). ТАСС reports Russian air defense destroyed five Ukrainian UAVs over Kursk, Bryansk Oblasts, and the Black Sea (MEDIUM CONFIDENCE). (HIGH CONFIDENCE)
Southern Front (Zaporizhzhia/Kherson - KABs, RF Claims of UAF Strikes, Civilian Damages - New Ground Activity, Air Raid Abatement, Civilian Casualty): UAF Air Force reports KABs on Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Eight multi-apartment buildings and non-residential buildings damaged. STERNENKO reports RF actively storming UAF positions in the Zaporizhzhia direction, using infantry groups of 1-2 people. ASTRA reports a woman heavily wounded in Kherson Oblast by an RF drone attack. (HIGH CONFIDENCE)
1.2. Weather and Environmental Factors Affecting Operations
1.3. Current Force Dispositions and Control Measures
2.1. Enemy Capabilities, Intentions, and Courses of Action
2.2. Recent tactical changes or adaptations
2.3. Logistics and sustainment status
2.4. Command and control effectiveness
5.1. Most Likely Enemy Courses of Action (MLCOA)
5.2. Most Dangerous Enemy Courses of Action (MDCOA)
5.3. Timeline estimates and decision points
END REPORT
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