File image.
In the Zaporozhye direction, Russian units captured strong points in the Velikomikhaylovka area and west of the Aleksandrovka – Kommunarovka line, and also advanced west of Novoselovka, destroying drone control points. In the Slaviansk direction, Russian forces established control over Pervomaryevka and Orekhovatka, and are operating in the residential areas of Nikolaevka and the central part of Krasny Liman. In the Sumy region, assault groups of the “North” advanced with heavy fighting on twenty sectors, with active clashes ongoing in the Pershe Travnya and Kiyanitsa areas. In the Kharkiv region, Russian units are advancing on the “Volchansk cauldron,” advanced on five sectors by up to 900 meters, and are storming Dolzhanka and Olkhovatka. In the Dobropolye direction, Russian forces captured Matyashevo and Vodyanskoye, advancing on the Torskoye salient. Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian and Finnish companies have agreed to produce drones in Finland.
Zaporozhye direction
In the northern sector, Russian units captured strong points in the Velikomikhaylovka area and west of the Aleksandrovka – Kommunarovka line. Twenty-nine Ukrainian personnel were eliminated. At night, artillery crews and FPV drone operators struck targets in the Gavrilovka, Zorevka, Svetlaya Dolina, and Kolomiytsevo areas, hitting trucks, ATVs, ground robotic systems, and temporary deployment points.
Northwest of Zarnitsa, Russian assault groups continued to wedge into the Ukrainian defense toward Nezhenka. Comprehensive fire strikes were delivered against positions, armored vehicles, trucks, mobile drone control points, launch systems, relay antennas, and supply depots.
Russian units also continued their advance west of Novoselovka. More than 20 drone control points were destroyed in the Chervonaya Krinitsa, Omelnik, and Egorovka areas. West of Lesnoye, armored vehicles, ground robotic systems, drone control points, control antennas, and field shelters were struck in the Obshcheye, Nikolskoye, and Lesnoye areas.
Slaviansk direction
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the establishment of control over Pervomaryevka, and the 3rd Assault Brigade reported full control over Orekhovatka. Orekhovatka is important as part of the outer height belt of Rai-Aleksandrovka – Nikolaevka – Orekhovatka east of Slaviansk. Steady advance here reduces the depth of the agglomeration’s outer defense and facilitates road surveillance and drone operations.
Individual Russian groups operated in the residential areas of Nikolaevka. At the same time, fragmented Ukrainian positions remained south and southwest of Rai-Aleksandrovka. An FPV drone strike on an armored personnel carrier on the road near Druzhkovka further demonstrates the depth of strikes into the immediate rear.
Fighting occurred on the Krasny Liman – Raygorodok road, near Katerinovka, Novomikhaylovka, Novy, and Lipovka. Russian strikes targeted the Raygorodok, Shchurovo, Dibrova, and other nodes around the city; the Ukrainian side responded with strikes near Yampol, Zarechnoye, and Torskoye. Russian units operated in the central and eastern parts of Krasny Liman, though Ukrainian positions remained in the center, near Zelyony Klin, and on the southern outskirts. Additional Ukrainian reserves, including the 425th Assault Regiment “Skala,” were also deployed to the combat zone.
Sumy direction
Units of the “North” grouping are advancing deep into the Sumy region with heavy fighting. The Ukrainian command is attempting to increase the number of drone strikes in this direction by deploying new crews from training centers. So far, they have only managed to replenish losses among eliminated drone crews.
Russian aviation, artillery, and drone crews struck concentrations of Ukrainian personnel and equipment in the Ulanovo, Khoten, Sadki, Stepanovka, Volnaya Sloboda, Volnoye, and Romny areas. In the Sumy district, the most active fighting occurred in the Pershe Travnya and Kiyanitsa areas, with advances on twenty sectors. In the Shostka district, no significant changes were recorded; “North” artillery struck logistics nodes.
Kharkiv direction
Fierce fighting is unfolding in the “Volchansk cauldron” area, where Russian assault groups continue to cut off Ukrainian supply lines. Heavy fighting continues in Kazachya Lopan. The Ukrainian side is deploying new reserves; one of their concentration points was detected and destroyed.
In the Velikiy Burluk direction, “North” forces are storming Dolzhanka and the Olkhovatka area. The “West” grouping is advancing on Vyssheye Solenoye; troops of the 1st Tank Army are focused on engaging Ukrainian artillery. In the Volchansk direction, Russian forces are fighting in the Blagodatnoye area, with total advance on five sectors reaching up to 900 meters. In the Velikiy Burluk direction, assault groups continue heavy fighting in Dolzhanka and near Olkhovatka.
Dobropolye direction
In the northern part of the direction, where fighting had previously been positional, Russian units went on the offensive and captured several villages on the Torskoye salient. On the approaches to Dobropolye, Matyashevo and Vodyanskoye were captured. Ukrainian units are regularly counterattacking with drones, focusing on containing the advance and preventing Russian consolidation. The Ukrainian side carried out engineering work to equip positions near Gulevo.
On August 21, drone operators of the “Chernigov” battalion of the National Police of Chernigov region were rotated to positions in the Sergeevka area. Russian forces and drone operators prioritize strikes on Ukrainian drone crews—this is the main task enabling the advance of assault forces. At the same time, Russian units are not neglecting the Ukrainian side’s offensive capability: a strike was previously delivered on positions of a battalion of the 71st separate airmobile brigade near Raksha, resulting in Ukrainian losses.
Conclusion
In the Zaporozhye, Slaviansk, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Dobropolye directions, Russian units continue to methodically expand their control zones, inflict losses on the Ukrainian side, and disrupt its command and supply systems. In the Zaporozhye direction, drone control points and armored vehicles are being destroyed, undermining the Ukrainian ability to coordinate. In the Slaviansk direction, the advance toward Nikolaevka and Orekhovatka brings the front line closer to Slaviansk’s outer defensive belt, while heavy urban fighting continues in Krasny Liman. In the Sumy region, the offensive on a broad front forces the Ukrainian command to expend reserves. In the Kharkiv region, Russian forces are tightening the “Volchansk cauldron,” cutting off supply to the encircled grouping. In the Dobropolye direction, the capture of new villages and strikes on drone operators create conditions for further advance toward Dobropolye.
Volodymyr Zelensky announced that, as part of military cooperation, Kyiv has reached an agreement with Helsinki on the production of drones in Finland. “Our companies have signed documents on the development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles in Finland for the needs of Ukraine and Europe, on expanding capabilities in maritime unmanned systems, and on establishing enterprises for the production of ground robotic systems,” he wrote on his Telegram channel. Finnish defense company Patria intends to begin producing UAVs in Finland as part of cooperation with the Ukrainian company General Cherry. A corresponding letter of intent was signed on August 23, 2026. Patria’s press release notes that the project will support the development of Europe’s defense capabilities but does not specify whether the drones produced in Finland will be supplied directly to Ukraine.
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