UK Intelligence claims Russia may intensify offensive actions around Kupiansk and Lyman

UK Defence Intelligence has suggested that in the coming months, the Russian command will intensify its offensive in Kupiansk and Lyman.

UK Defence Intelligence claims that due to the Ukrainian counteroffensive, Russian troops are under pressure in the south and near Bakhmut. Still, they continue to attack in the area of Kupiansk and Lyman and have made limited local progress.

"As Ukraine gradually gains ground in the south, Russia’s doctrine suggests that it will attempt to regain the initiative by pivoting back to an operational level offensive. Kupiansk-Lyman is one potential area for this.

It is possible that Russia will increase the intensity of its offensive efforts on the Kupiansk-Lyman axis in the next two months, probably to advance west to the Oskil River and create a buffer zone around Luhansk Oblast."

A previous review was devoted to the likely death of the leader of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin. UK intelligence suggests this will have a deeply destabilising effect on the group.

Before that, UK Defence Intelligence stated that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin had made a rare visit to the headquarters of the Southern Military District in Rostov, 160 kilometers from the front, to demonstrate his power.

Russia attacked 6 communities in Sumy Oblast

Russian forces launched 19 attacks at communities along the Sumy Oblast border on Aug. 25, causing 164 explosions, local military administration reported on Telegram.

The Russian military shelled six communities, including Esman, Krasnopillia, Bilopillia, Khotin, Seredyna-Buda, and Shalyhyne.

According to the Ukrainian military, multiple weapons were deployed against the region over the day, including mortars, tanks, artillery, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The Shalyhyne community was attacked the most, with 38 explosions reported over the past day.

There were no casualties or damage to civilian infrastructure.

On Aug. 24, the Russian army fired 39 times at the settlements of Sumy Oblast. There were 269 explosions. Bilopillia and Khotin communities were attacked with drones and mortars, but no damages were reported.

Sumy Oblast is located on Ukraine's northeastern border with Russia. It has been the target of daily Russian shelling and attacks across the border since parts of the oblast were liberated from Russian troops in early April 2022.

Russia attacked Dnipropetrovsk Obast with drones and artillery

Russian troops attacked Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast thrice on Aug. 26, also targeting the nearby Marhanets community, Governor Serhii Lysak reported.

According to the governor, Russian troops hit the area with two kamikaze drones and heavy artillery. There were no casualties, Lysak said, adding that any losses or damages of the attacks were still being determined.

Nikopol lies across the Dnipro River from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Enerhodar. Russian forces have occupied the plant since March 2022, who subject residents of Nikopol to regular shelling.

On Aug. 25, a Russian attack on the town killed a 59-year-old man.

Two houses, a power line, a gas pipeline, and a car were damaged in the attack, according to Lysak. Nikopol lies across the Dnipro River from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Enerhodar. The plant is occupied by Russian forces, who subject the residents of Nikopol to regular shelling.

On Aug. 19, Russian shelling of Nikopol injured a 74-year-old woman and damaged five houses, four outbuildings, and two power lines, the oblast governor said.