The situation 1617 – August 25, 2026

1. Russia is escalating strikes against Ukrainian-Moldovan border infrastructure in conjunction with its campaign against Ukrainian port and maritime infrastructure.
2. Russian forces are using the strikes along the Ukrainian-Moldovan border to achieve broader political effects.
3. The Kremlin is attempting to address concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decree that set conditions for nationalization of critical infrastructure facilities.
4. Russia launched another satellite into orbit on August 24 for military purposes, potentially as part of its broader efforts to establish a Rassvet (Russian analogue to Starlink) satellite constellation.
5. US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe reportedly arrived in Moscow on an unscheduled trip, marking what would be Ratcliffe’s first visit to Russia since becoming CIA director.
6. Ukrainian forces continued their long-range strike campaign against Russian oil and energy infrastructure. Russia launched an unspecified number of Iskander-M ballistic missiles, Kh-31P anti-radar missiles, and 150 drones against Ukraine overnight.
7. Ukrainian forces recently advanced in the Kupyansk and Borova directions.

The full update of the Russian offensive 1617 is available on UNDERSTANDING WAR