UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 148 - JULY 17, 2022

The Russian forces continue their moderate return from the operational pause and conducted limited ground attacks in the Donetsk area on July 17. As ISW has previously noted, it is unlikely that the end of the Russian ceasefire will lead to a massive new wave of ground attacks on multiple thrust axes, although Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu has publicly ordered exactly that.

The Russian troops are primarily advancing around Siversk and Bakhmut, while maintaining their defensive positions north of the city of Kharkiv and along the southern axis. The Russian forces continue to prepare for the resumption of the offensive on Slovyansk, shelling settlements along the salient between Izyum and Slovyansk, and conducting artillery, missile, and air strikes throughout Ukraine. On July 17, the Russian Ministry of Defense did not report any new territorial gains. Observers continue to expect that the end of the operational pause will be marked by a fluctuating and staggered resumption of ground offensives.

The full Russian Offensive Update 148 is available directly from UNDERSTANDING WAR.

UNDERSTANDING WAR online