Aug 20, 2026
Ukrainian forces have advanced in northern Kharkiv region while also disrupting a Russian operation intended to create the appearance of new territorial gains, according to an Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assessment published on August 19.
The US-based analysts said Ukrainian troops recently moved forward north of Bilyi Kolodiaz, north of the city of Kharkiv. Geolocated footage published ahead of the assessment supports the reported Ukrainian advance in the area.
At the same time, Ukrainian forces disrupted a separate Russian operation on the Vovchansk axis.
“Ukrainian forces recently disrupted a Russian flag-raising operation in the Vovchansk direction,” ISW said.
Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service confirmed the incident, saying Ukrainian forces struck Russian personnel who were attempting to carry out the flag-raising mission.
ISW said such operations are designed to create the impression that Russian troops have captured or secured territory even when actual control of the area has not been established.
“Russian flag-raising operations are part of the Kremlin’s cognitive warfare aimed at creating a false impression of Russian gains,” the analysts said.
Russian forces also continued limited offensive operations in the Velykyi Burluk direction on August 18 and 19, but failed to make confirmed advances, according to ISW.
The developments come amid continued fighting across northern Kharkiv region, where Ukrainian forces have recently managed localized advances while preventing Russian troops from gaining ground in several sectors.
Previously, reports emerged that Ukrainian forces have restored control over nearly the entire Dnipropetrovsk region, with only the area around the settlement of Dachne still under Russian occupation as fighting continues.
The cockroach commanders love sacrificing meat puppets to make pictures of their “conquered” areas.