Ukrainian defense forces carried out local counterattacks and recorded advances on several directions of the front. This is stated in a fresh report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), according to RBC-Ukraine. Analysts highlight a number of sectors where Ukrainian defenders not only halted the offensive actions of Russian troops but also went on the offensive themselves, while on other sectors counter-strikes were recorded without any change to the line of contact.
Counterattacks on the Kharkiv direction
The key success, according to ISW's assessment, was the counterattack on the Kharkiv direction in the area of Kazachia Lopan. Thanks to this strike, Ukrainian defenders managed to halt the Russian offensive in this sector. Separately, analysts point to UAF advances in the north of Kharkiv Oblast and the disruption of a new Russian offensive operation in this region. Russian media, in turn, report the transfer of reinforcements to the Kharkiv direction — according to some sources, an elite brigade, according to others, forcibly mobilized personnel — and that this direction is "coming to life," which indirectly confirms the high intensity of combat operations in the sector.
Counter-strikes and advances in the central part of Konstantinivka
In the area of Borova, counter-attacks were recorded from both Russian and Ukrainian forces; at the same time, according to analysts, neither side managed to advance. Meanwhile, in the central part of Konstantinivka, the UAF, according to the report, advanced forward. ISW notes that Russia continues to exaggerate its advances in this region, spreading disinformation about allegedly achieved successes.
Successes in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and northeast of Oleksandrivka
Ukrainian forces also made advances northeast of Oleksandrivka, while Russian attempts to advance in the area of Huliaipole were unsuccessful. In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, defenders recorded successes west of Orikhiv, in particular advancing northeast of Stepne. A reminder from ISW: recently, Ukrainian defense forces disrupted a new Russian offensive operation in Sumy Oblast.
Contradictory data
The versions from both sides on the Kharkiv direction differ in emphasis. According to ISW (citing RBC-Ukraine), it was Ukrainian forces that carried out a successful counterattack in the area of Kazachia Lopan and halted the Russian offensive, as well as advanced in the north of Kharkiv Oblast. Russian publications (news.mail.ru, vz.ru), on the contrary, emphasize the transfer of reinforcements to this direction — an elite brigade and forcibly mobilized personnel — and describe the sector as "coming to life," indicating sustained pressure and the need for reinforcement. Notably, Russian sources themselves disagree on which specific formations are being transferred (an elite brigade versus mobilized personnel), which makes the picture of the sector ambiguous and requires careful interpretation of both versions.
Russian army losses and preparations for possible mobilization
According to data cited in the report, Russian army losses on the front already exceed the monthly intake of contract soldiers: in July alone, Russian troops, by estimates, lost no fewer than 40,000 killed and wounded. Meanwhile, in Russia, training grounds in several oblasts are being prepared for a possible new wave of mobilization — they are being checked for readiness to accommodate a large number of people, which analysts link to the need to replenish personnel losses.
