Ukraine Gains Ground Near Kharkiv, Foils Russian Flag-Raising Attempt

Ukrainian forces have made recent advances in northern Kharkiv Oblast and successfully prevented a Russian attempt to raise a flag near Vovchansk, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Geolocated footage suggests Ukrainian forces have pushed north of Bilyi Kolodyaz, north of Kharkiv City. Russian forces, however, have reportedly made limited gains near Kupyansk, though ISW could not independently verify these claims.

Ukrainian forces also thwarted a Russian flag-raising mission in the Vovchansk area, as confirmed by Ukraine’s State Border Service. These actions are part of Russia's cognitive warfare strategy to create the illusion of territorial gains. Ukrainian forces are facing persistent Russian glide-bomb attacks against military assets near the frontline.

Russian forces have been increasingly using glide bombs to strike Ukrainian military assets in the rear, as these are less vulnerable to Ukrainian drone counterattacks. In eastern Kharkiv Oblast, Russia aims to cross the Oskil River and advance westward towards eastern Kharkiv and the northern Donetsk oblasts. Russian forces recently claimed to have seized a part of Kivsharivka, southeast of Kupyansk, supporting a report from Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets from August 13.

Additionally, Russian milbloggers have claimed advances in the Kupyansk direction, near Mala Shapkivka, Radkivka, and northeastern Kupyansk, though ISW has not independently confirmed these claims. Ukrainian forces have also continued their intermediate-range strike campaign against Russian military assets in the occupied Luhansk Oblast, targeting a drone depot near occupied Lobacheve, a warehouse near occupied Kadiivka, and Russian equipment and personnel near occupied Lysychansk.