Over the past two days — August 23 and 24 — Russian forces attempted to advance on several sections of the front, but, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Ukrainian Defense Forces managed to halt their offensive. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a fresh ISW analytical report.
Offensive failure in northern Kharkiv region
In the north of Kharkiv Oblast, Russian units continued offensive operations on August 23 and 24, but no advance was recorded due to Ukrainian counterattacks. In particular, on August 23 a Russian military blogger reported a Ukrainian counterattack near Volchansk. On the Great Buryluk direction, the occupiers also carried out limited offensive actions, but to no avail.
Kupiansk, Borova and Konstantinovka: attacks without results
On the Kupiansk direction, the Russians continued their offensive on August 23 and 24, but no confirmed advance was recorded. On the Borova direction, the occupiers launched limited attacks without success: geolocated footage from August 23 shows that Ukrainian troops are holding their positions near Novoplatovka, despite Russian claims of an advance. A similar picture was observed on the Konstantinovka–Druzhkovka tactical direction, in the Dobropillia area, as well as on the Pokrovsk, Novopavlivka and Oleksandrivka directions: the offensive operations of August 23–24 yielded no territorial gains for Russia.
Strikes on logistics and Ukrainian advance near Lyman
At the same time, Ukrainian forces were striking Russian fuel and logistics infrastructure in occupied Luhansk Oblast. On August 24, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported hitting materiel depots in Stepne and Khrystalyne. In addition, Ukrainian troops continued medium-range strikes on Russian military facilities in occupied Donetsk Oblast. On the Slavyansk direction, by contrast, the initiative shifted to the Ukrainian forces: geolocated materials confirm the movement of Ukrainian troops east of Dibrova, southwest of Lyman.
Contradictory data
It is important to note the discrepancy in versions here. The Russian side claims advances of its units on certain sections, in particular near Novoplatovka, however independent geolocation from August 23 records Ukrainian troops holding these positions. Thus, Moscow's claims of tactical success in this sector are not corroborated by visual data. At the same time, the Kremlin states its intention to attack Ukraine "daily — day and night," which contrasts with ISW's conclusions that Russia's offensive operations failed on multiple directions over the past two days.
Diplomatic backdrop
Against the backdrop of hostilities, Ukraine called on the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution demanding that Russia end the war. The response was statements from the Kremlin about its readiness to continue strikes on Ukrainian territory around the clock. According to ISW's assessment, the combined data from August 23–24 indicates that the initiative on the front remains with the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
