Ukraine continues counteroffensive: Russian army lacks reserves, its defense lines may be ‘brittle’ - ISW

This was stated by analysts of the Institute for the Study of War.

On August 14, the Ukrainian Armed Forces conducted counteroffensive operations in at least two frontline areas and reportedly advanced in the border area of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.

Deputy Minister of Ukraine's Defense Hanna Maliar said that the military continue counteroffensive operations in the Melitopol (western part of Zaporizhzhia region) and Berdyansk (western part of Donetsk region and eastern part of Zaporizhzhia region) directions.

The Ministry of Defense added that the Ukrainian Armed Forces made some progress to the south and southeast of Staromayorske (9 km southeast of Velyka Novosilka) in the direction of Urozhaine (9 km south of Velyka Novosilka).

Maliar also noted that the fighters continue their offensive in Urozhaine, and some Russian sources claimed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces control the northern part of the settlement.

The commander of the Russian ‘Vostok’ battalion, Oleksandr Khodakovsky (this group is located near Urozhaine), complained that Russian troops were not deploying additional reserves and artillery divisions to the area. He also claimed that the 'Vostok' battalion is trying to keep control of Urozhaine "with all available forces," but that the forces operating in the area are exhausted and suffering losses.

ISW experts have previously assessed that Russian forces lack available operational reserves that would allow them to rotate or bring in additional reinforcements, and that Russian defensive lines may be brittle.

Some Russian bloggers claimed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces continued counteroffensive operations in the area of Robotyne (13 km south of Orikhiv) in the western part of Zaporizhzhia region, and advanced in the southern part of Klishchiivka (7 km southwest of Bakhmut).

Deputy Defense Minister Maliar added that over the past week, the Ukrainian Armed Forces advanced by 3 square kilometers in the Bakhmut direction and liberated a total of 40 square kilometers since the start of the offensive in this area.