Key Takeaways:

The Kremlin is pursuing a multi-pronged informational effort aimed at deterring Western support for Ukraine and undermining European participation in the peace process.
Russian milbloggers criticized the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) for exaggerating its battlefield successes.
The Kremlin is intensifying these information efforts because its territorial gains remain disproportionately limited and slow relative to the high losses incurred.
Ukrainian forces advanced near Novopavlivka. Russian forces advanced near Toretsk.

Institute for the Study of War

https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-31-2025