Archived operational intelligence briefing
1.1. Battlefield Geometry and Key Terrain
OVERALL OPERATIONAL PICTURE: RF deep strikes continue to target Ukraine's defense industry and railway infrastructure, with a new claimed strategic strike against a UAV/Artillery electronics enterprise in Khmelnytskyi. Civilian targeting remains high, with confirmed deadly artillery/FPV drone strikes on Kostiantynivka, sustained attacks on the Nikopol region and Kharkiv Oblast. Reports of increased casualties in Zaporizhzhia (total 4 wounded), Orikhiv (2 wounded), and Druzhkivka (7 wounded), as well as two killed and two wounded in Kozacha Lopan, Kharkiv Oblast. Ballistic missile threats are active, with new alerts for Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, and Sumy, including high-speed targets on Kyiv. Ground operations are intensely focused on Sieversk and Kupyansk. RF continues to claim significant gains and even UAF surrenders in Kupyansk, while UAF actively denies these claims and demonstrates successful counter-actions; DeepState confirms RF presence and infiltration attempts, though UAF maintains RF lacks "firm control" over the city center. RF milblogger claims report children being used for sabotage by Ukraine. RF claims "liberation" of Novoselivka in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (with video evidence from "Vostok" Group of Forces and Colonelcassad) and Novoselovka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast (MoD RF claim via TASS and Voenkor Kotenok). Colonelcassad claims "Vostok" Group of Forces has "completely liberated" DNR territory and is now advancing into Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts. TASS reports Saldo's claim of RF maintaining control over Dnipro delta islands in Kherson Oblast. RF also claims new assaults on Novoselivka (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast), supported by UAV footage. RF also claims to have neutralized a Bradley IFV and a field ammunition depot with a Fagot ATGM, and to have detained an SBU agent in Kherson Oblast engaged in espionage. UAF reports the destruction of an S-300V SAM system in the Zaporizhzhia direction. UAF demonstrates tactical innovation with ground robotic complexes, secures additional air defense from Nordic/Baltic countries, and maintains significant domestic artillery/drone production. Ukrainian company Fire Point announces development of ballistic missiles (FP-7, FP-9) and air defense systems. Diplomatic and information warfare efforts continue, with UAF securing further Western support and RF attempting to sow discord and amplify anti-Western narratives. Putin concluded his China visit, making several statements regarding Ukraine, NATO, and economic cooperation with China, projecting a dual message of "peace" vs. "military solution." RF is actively conducting artillery strikes in the Kharkiv direction, with confirmed casualties. NATO ISR aircraft activity is reported near Kaliningrad/Belarus border, indicating heightened regional vigilance. European leaders, including Zelenskyy and Macron, are scheduled for a call with Trump, highlighting continued high-level diplomatic engagement. RF IO is heavily pushing narratives of Ukrainian corruption. New RF drone group activity in Chernihiv region, southwestern direction. UAF has successfully downed a "Gerbera with a rear-view camera" drone. UAF successfully destroyed RF D-20 artillery and a 2S3 self-propelled howitzer with drone strikes. New Shahed threat detected in Donetsk Oblast. UAF special forces (Shybenyk Squad, 2nd Assault Company, Kraken) are conducting operations in Sumy Oblast. RF continues to use BM-21 Grad MLRS. Ukraine launches its largest port investment project, indicating economic resilience and long-term planning. Ukrainian forces report Russians are using anti-thermal imaging cloaks for infiltration tactics. RF IO emphasizes Putin's conditional willingness to meet Zelenskyy in Moscow, contrasting with Zelenskyy's statements on Ukraine's "Korean Scenario" and the need for US security guarantees. RF IO also focuses on internal control in Belgorod concerning UAV attack information. UAF claims significant destruction of RF S-300 PU and 9S36 radar in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. RF reports a power outage in Krasnodar Krai due to a UAV strike. RF IO is leveraging discussion of a "frozen conflict" for Ukraine. RF IO is pushing a narrative of Azerbaijan providing MiG-29s to Ukraine. RF drones originating from Donetsk Oblast are now reported on course for Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. RF sources continue to claim significant advances in Kupyansk, with UAF sources also confirming RF infiltration and presence, albeit noting a lack of "firm control" over the city center, and indicating fragmented UAF defense. RF UAV group detected in Southern Sumy Oblast, moving west. RF UAVs on course for Poltava Oblast. Several groups of RF UAVs detected in northern Kharkiv Oblast (Chuhuiv Raion). RF military transport aircraft confirmed arriving in North Korea, with coffins draped in North Korean flags visible, suggesting potential military assistance or return of personnel. Explosion heard in Chuhuiv community, Kharkiv Oblast. RF reports five Ukrainian UAVs destroyed over Rostov Oblast. New groups of RF UAVs are inbound from the Black Sea towards Odesa/Fontanka. The air raid alert for Odesa and Chornomorsk has been lifted following successful UAF interception of all incoming Shahed UAVs. The Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) continues in Vladivostok. RF is actively promoting a rise in military pensions and a continued increase in the 2026 budget, signaling long-term commitment to military personnel welfare. RF is also discussing financing for new energy generation in the Far East. RF IO is now actively countering claims of Western support for Ukraine, with Maria Zakharova stating that Ukraine's security guarantees are "guarantees of danger" for Europe. Colonelcassad reports a FAB-3000 strike on a UAF Forward Operating Base (FOB). Russian milbloggers "Two Majors" and "Parisan56rus" are providing footage from the Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk) direction. Russian milblogger "Operation Z" (via Russkaya Vesna) released a video on "Electronic Warfare (EW) strike" on the Zaporizhzhia front. UAF General Staff provides updated estimated RF combat losses. UAF reports two UAVs shot down over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. RF sources claim UAF forces are mining houses on Karantynny Island (Kherson). RF Ministry of Defense claims 46 Ukrainian UAVs were shot down over Russian regions and the Black Sea. UK has directed over $1 billion from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. Aftermath of drone attack on Odesa: fire in a warehouse, no casualties. Trump states that Putin and Zelenskyy are not yet ready for a peace agreement. RF Ministry of Defense reports an additional four UAVs shot down over Volgograd Oblast. Colonelcassad posts drone footage of high-precision strikes on UAF trench positions by operators of the 5th Army Group "Vostok." Rybar provides a map-based analysis video of RF offensive operations in the Shcherbinovka area (between August 12-31, 2025). TASS reports RF military advances near Chervonaya Dibrova (LNR) and control of 5 hectares of forest near Grigorievka (DNR). Zvиздец Мангусту provides a brief summary from various directions and considerations regarding events on the Dobropillya direction, specifically mentioning the Sieversk (Slavyansk) direction and potential regrouping for the Pokrovsk assault. ASTRA reports China has not confirmed Putin's statements about "Power of Siberia-2." Operatsiya Z (Russkaya Vesna) reports RF air defense shot down 46 Ukrainian UAVs overnight. Два майора posts a video (18+) with "18th Combined Arms Army" insignia, showing an aerial strike on a small boat with personnel in water. Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports a group of enemy UAVs in northern Chernihiv Oblast, moving southwest. ЦАПЛІЄНКО_UKRAINE FIGHTS posts a video claiming that drones attacked 17 Russian oil refineries in August. Повітряні Сили ЗС України / Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posts a photo message stating "84 enemy UAVs shot down/suppressed." ASTRA reports that Ukraine's Air Force states Russia attacked with 112 UAVs overnight, and UAF neutralized 84 of them. Шеф Hayabusa posts photos of damage in Sloviansk and Odesa after night attacks. RBC-Ukraine reports that Russia is preparing a new offensive against Ukraine, citing Bloomberg. UAF General Staff reports repelling 5 RF army assaults in the Kursk and North Slobozhansky (Sumy) direction.
NEW: RF Ballistic Missile Strike on Humanitarian Mission (Chernihiv): RF conducted a ballistic missile strike in Chernihiv Oblast, targeting employees of a humanitarian demining mission. Initial reports indicate one fatality and two wounded (RBC-Ukraine, ASTRA, Operatyvnyi ZSU). (HIGH CONFIDENCE)
NEW: UAF Air Force - Enemy UAVs in Chernihiv/Sumy: UAF Air Force reports threat of enemy strike UAVs in Chernihiv Oblast (Novgorod-Siversky district) and Sumy Oblast (Shostkinsky and Konotopsky districts). (HIGH CONFIDENCE)
NEW: UAF Ground Engagement (Zaporizhzhia): Silly Defense of Southern Ukraine provides video footage of UAF 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade engaging and destroying Russian BMPs in the Zaporizhzhia direction. (HIGH CONFIDENCE)
NEW: RF Presidential Promotion: Kadyrov_95 reports that RF President by Decree assigned the high military rank of Lieutenant General to Magomed Daudov, Chairman of the Government of Chechen Republic. (HIGH CONFIDENCE)
NEW: RF Air/Drone Strike on UAF Buggy (Vostok Group): Voin DV posts video claiming operators of the 69th Cover Brigade of the "Vostok" Group of Forces struck an enemy buggy. (HIGH CONFIDENCE)
NEW: RF Civilian Flights Resume: Moscow News reports Aeroflot resumes regular flights from Moscow to Seychelles and Sri Lanka. (HIGH CONFIDENCE - no military relevance)
NEW: Zelenskyy - "Coalition of the Resolute" Meeting: Zelenskiy / Official, Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration, Oleg Syniehubov, and Operatyvnyi ZSU share photo messages from the "Coalition of the Resolute" meeting with leaders (offline and online, over 30 countries), unified by the desire for a reliable peace and long-term security. (HIGH CONFIDENCE)
NEW: Oleh Syniehubov - Kharkiv Oblast Governor on Meeting: Oleg Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Administration, provides a tactical analysis of the "Coalition of the Resolute" meeting images, noting the diplomatic context. (HIGH CONFIDENCE)
NEW: RF IO - Kaja Kallas "Battle of Narratives": Alex Parker Returns posts video commentary on Estonian PM Kaja Kallas's reaction to Russia and China's victory in WWII, framing it as a "battle of narratives." (HIGH CONFIDENCE)
NEW: UAF Odesa Warehouse Damage (Photo): STERNENKO posts photo messages showing fragments of a downed Shahed drone that caused a fire in an Odesa warehouse, emphasizing successful interception. (HIGH CONFIDENCE)
NEW: UAF Heavy Copters "Vampire" in Action (82nd Airmobile Brigade): BUTUSOV PLUS posts video about Ukrainian heavy copter pilots of the "Vampire" unit (82nd Airmobile Brigade) conducting night bombing missions, adapting them for combat tasks. (HIGH CONFIDENCE)
NEW: RF Civilian Family Reunions (TASS): TASS posts video reporting five Russian and five Ukrainian families reunited at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border through the mediation of Tatyana Moskalkova. (HIGH CONFIDENCE - no direct military relevance, but humanitarian/IO).
NEW: RF Military Transportation Document Extension: Дневник Десантника🇷🇺 reports RF MoD plans to increase the validity of military transportation documents from three to six months. (HIGH CONFIDENCE)
NEW: RF Air Defense Capabilities (Старше Эдды, Kotsnews): Старше Эдды and Kotsnews post video of "small air defense" (Малое ПВО Стальной 144) demonstrating capabilities, claiming daily shoot-downs of Ukrainian drones ("пердолеты") deep inside Russian territory. The video shows drone combat and what appears to be fiber optic cable damage by propellers. (HIGH CONFIDENCE - RF claim with video evidence).
NEW: DeepState Map Update: DeepState confirms map update. (HIGH CONFIDENCE)
NEW: RF Bombing of Hospital/Village (Kostiantynivka): RBC-Ukraine reports RF dropped aerial bombs on a hospital in Kostiantynivka and a nearby village. (HIGH CONFIDENCE)
NEW: Witkoff Leaves Paris Meeting Early (TASS): TASS reports Witkoff left the "Coalition of the Willing" meeting at the Élysée Palace 45 minutes after it began, citing Ukrainian media. (HIGH CONFIDENCE)
1.2. Weather and Environmental Factors Affecting Operations
1.3. Current Force Dispositions and Control Measures
RF:
UAF:
2.1. Enemy Capabilities, Intentions, and Courses of Action
Capabilities:
Intentions:
Courses of Action (COAs):
Most Dangerous Course of Action (MDCOA):
3.1. Ukrainian Force Posture and Readiness
3.2. Recent Tactical Successes or Setbacks
3.3. Resource Requirements and Constraints
4.1. Propaganda and Disinformation Campaigns
RF Propaganda:
Ukrainian Counter-Propaganda/IO:
4.2. Public Sentiment and Morale Factors
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