Ukraine Holds Positions Near Sloviansk; Russia Prepares Donetsk Offensive

Ukrainian troops are maintaining or improving their positions near Sloviansk, according to the latest assessments from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Geolocated evidence from August 2 indicates Russian forces attempted to assault a Ukrainian position near Ozerne, northeast of Sloviansk in the Donetsk region. This contradicts earlier claims by Russian sources that they held the area.

Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to target civilian infrastructure in Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. The ISW suggests these attacks may be intended to drive residents out of the cities, potentially in preparation for future military operations. However, the institute assesses that a Russian advance into these specific cities is improbable in the immediate future.

Russia is also reportedly reviving its strategy of "Battlefield Air Interdiction," a tactic employed last year. This involves air strikes against targets in the immediate rear of the front lines. The primary objective is to sever the logistical supply lines supporting Ukrainian forces. This strategy was instrumental in paving the way for Russia's previous advances near Pokrovsk and Huljajpole during the summer and autumn of the previous year.

The ISW's analysis highlights Russia's ongoing efforts to prepare for potential offensives in the Donetsk region. By disrupting Ukrainian logistics and potentially creating buffer zones through civilian displacement, Russia aims to gain a strategic advantage. The situation remains dynamic, with both sides engaged in tactical maneuvers and preparations for sustained conflict.