The situation 895 - August 25, 2024

A Russian military blogger claims on August 25 that the Russian forces have recently recaptured lost positions in the Kursk region after reports of ongoing Ukrainian attacks in the area emerged.

A Russian military blogger stated on August 25 that the Russian forces had regained lost positions in Komarowka (southwest of Korenewo) and repelled minor Ukrainian attacks in that area. Several Russian military bloggers claimed on the same day that the Russian forces had recaptured Olgovka and Kremyanoye (both east of Korenevo) and that the Russian forces were advancing west of Kremyanoye. However, another Russian military blogger believes that the Ukrainian forces still control Kremyanoye.

The arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov – pictured above – by French authorities on August 24 has raised concerns among ultra-nationalist Russian military bloggers about their ability to report freely on the war in Ukraine. ISW, however, has found no direct evidence that Durov's arrest will impact the operation of Telegram in the near future.

Russian military bloggers also react to Durov's arrest by pointing out how much Russian soldiers rely on ad-hoc communication, including Telegram, to organize operations in Ukraine, and called on the Russian military leadership to establish an appropriate official communication system.

The Russian forces have recently advanced near and within Toretsk and southwest of Donetsk.

The full Russian Offensive Update 895 is available directly from UNDERSTANDING WAR.

UNDERSTANDING WAR