UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 194 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2022

The Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated on September 1 his false portrayal of the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine as a defense operation to protect Russia. During a meeting with schoolchildren in Kaliningrad, Putin stated that the purpose of the "special military operation" is the elimination of the "anti-Russian enclave" forming in Ukraine, which poses an existential threat to the Russian state. In his speech on February 24, announcing a "special operation" in Ukraine, Putin referred to the concept of "Anti-Russia." Putin's repetition of an "anti-Russian" entity that must be militarily defeated to defend Russia reaffirms his maximalist intentions regarding Ukraine and is likely intended to create the information conditions to call for further Russian efforts and the creation of forces in the fall and winter of this year.

Ukrainian forces continue to target Russian logistical nodes and key positions throughout the Kherson Oblast to support the ongoing counteroffensive in southern Ukraine. Russian milbloggers reiterated claims that Ukrainian forces are fighting along four advance axes in the western Kherson Oblast.

Russian forces conducted ground attacks northwest of Slovyansk, south and northeast of Bakhmut, as well as northwest and southwest of Donetsk.

The complete Russian Offensive Update 194 is available directly from UNDERSTANDING WAR.

UNDERSTANDING WAR online