🇺🇦❌🇷🇺 — 🇺🇦 General Staff of the Armed Forces:

"⚡️⚡️ Oil refinery and oil terminal of the enemy hit.

On August 19th and during the night of August 20th, 2026, units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine struck a number of important enemy targets.

Specifically, the "TANECO" oil refinery in Nizhnekamsk, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, was hit, with an impact confirmed, followed by a fire on the territory of the plant.

ℹ️ "TANECO" can process up to 16 million tons of crude oil per year. It produces a wide range of petroleum products, including motor fuels and other oil refining products. It is involved in supplying the enemy's army.

In addition, the "Tamanneftegaz" oil terminal in Volna, Krasnodar Krai, Russia, was hit. A fire was reported on the territory of the facility.

ℹ️ "Tamanneftegaz" is one of the key Russian oil terminals in the Black Sea region. The capacity of the Taman transshipment complex allows for the transshipment of up to 19.9 million tons of oil, petroleum products, and liquefied hydrocarbon gases per year. The terminal provides the transshipment of oil and petroleum products from rail transport to sea vessels. It provides logistical and fuel needs for the Russian army.

The extent of the damage is being clarified."

🔗 Source:

🇷🇺❌⛽🗺 — ⭐️ Rybar:

"Fuel Collapse

The Russian army continues its systematic targeting of the fuel and energy sector of the so-called Ukraine. Between August 1 and August 18, at least 48 strikes were reported against gas stations and oil refineries across various regions.

➡️The adversary suffered the heaviest losses of gas stations in border regions; the Sumy and Kharkiv regions accounted for more than half of all strikes. Notably, on August 16, a combined strike was launched against the oil refinery in Kremenchuk, utilizing Iskander-M missiles, FABs equipped with UMPK glide kits, and Geran drones.

🔻Key strike statistics:

▪️The bulk of the attacks targeted the Kharkiv region, where a significant number of gas stations in various settlements were hit.

▪️Geran and Gerbera drones remain the primary strike assets. However, FPV drones, Lancet loitering munitions, and ballistic missiles were also employed in several instances.

▪️The highest number of strikes on the fuel infrastructure of the so-called Ukraine occurred on August 2, with nine attacks launched against enemy gas stations.

➡️Simultaneously, operations targeting railway infrastructure—which directly impacts the fuel crisis—are ongoing. Rail-based fuel delivery is becoming increasingly problematic; strikes on rolling stock and railway hubs are curtailing the capacity to transport fuel to end-users.

Furthermore, diesel locomotives themselves consume significant quantities of fuel, while the use of electric locomotives has become increasingly difficult due to constant attacks on the energy grid in border regions. This continues to affect prices: the cost of gasoline and diesel has risen in certain regions, while queues and supply disruptions are being reported at gas stations in frontline areas.

📌Systematic fire strikes against fuel infrastructure and logistics create a domino effect. Disrupting rail links complicates fuel delivery, while the destruction of gas stations makes distribution impossible. Consequently, even the fuel supplies still reaching the border regions of so-called Ukraine either cannot be transported to consumption points or lack the necessary refueling infrastructure.

High-resolution map"

🔗 Source:

🇷🇺❌🇺🇦 — ⭐️ Rybar:

"Fighting on the Approaches to Dobropillya

In the Dobropillya sector, Russian units are continuing their offensive, gradually compressing the enemy's defenses and expanding their zone of control. Advances in several areas have been confirmed by objective monitoring footage.

➡️Near Shevchenko, the Russian army has established a foothold on the outskirts of Vodyanskoye and is operating within the territory of Svetloye. Additionally, the Ministry of Defense reports that Russian units have liberated the settlement of Matyashevo.

➡️On the eastern flank of this sector, the 33rd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces succeeded in liberating Novonikolayevka. This was made possible by the capture of a major strongpoint west of Krasny Ugol, which assault troops are using to covertly mass forces. However, other nearby fortifications remain within the combat zone, preventing any immediate widening of the penetration or the establishment of secure supply routes.

📌At the same time, reports are emerging from the Ukrainian side claiming that Russian forces have entered the eastern outskirts of Dobropillya. However, these claims lack supporting objective monitoring footage; given the challenging conditions for aerial reconnaissance ("contested airspace"), they should be treated with skepticism.

❗️Nevertheless, it is evident that the situation on the approaches to Dobropillya is steadily deteriorating for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This likely explains the redeployment of additional drone units to this sector from the southern front. The enemy hopes to slow the Russian advance by increasing strikes on rear-area supply lines.

In light of this, it is essential to expand the use of mobile anti-drone teams within the troops, actively hunt down enemy UAV operators, and systematically disrupt their operations. Eliminating drone crews deprives the AFU of both "eyes" and strike capabilities, which will directly impact the stability of the enemy's defense.

High-resolution map"

🔗 Source

🇺🇸🇷🇴✈️❌🙏🇷🇺 — 🇩🇪 BILD:

"❗️Romanian fighter jet shoots down explosive-laden sea drone in the Black Sea

A Romanian F-16 fighter jet shot down a sea drone equipped with explosives this morning in the area of the Neptun Deep gas platform in the Black Sea. The drone was detected by the coast guard just a few hundred meters from the facility, where several hundred workers were present at the time. Romanian Defense Minister Radu Miruță stated that the drone did not belong to Ukraine, and its origin is currently unknown.

After consultations with President Nicolae Dan, a decision was made to destroy the drone in order to protect people and critical infrastructure. Two F-16 fighter jets were scrambled, and one of them shot down the sea drone with its onboard cannon.

The President of Romania thanked the pilots and military personnel for the operation, calling it a protection of the lives of people on the platform. At the same time, Dan accused Russia of escalating "irresponsible incidents" and stated that the country remains ready, together with its NATO allies, to counter such threats.

This is not the first incident involving drones in Romania. Last night, a Russian drone violated the country's airspace near Galati, after which two NATO fighter jets and a Romanian helicopter were scrambled to intercept it."

🔗 Source:

🔗🇭🇷👃💥⛽️ — 🇩🇪 BILD:

"Suspect in the "Nord Stream" sabotage case arrested in Croatia during filming of a Hollywood movie.

One of the suspects in the "Nord Stream" pipeline sabotage case was arrested directly on a film set in Croatia. The Ukrainian, Vladimir Z., whom the German prosecutor's office suspects of involvement in the attack on the pipelines, was spotted in the city of Pula. According to local media reports, the arrest took place during the filming of a Hollywood political thriller, "Snake Island," which is about the operation of Ukrainian divers.

According to German investigators, Vladimir Z. was part of a group led by another suspect, Sergei K. They are alleged to have been involved in preparing the explosions on the "Nord Stream" pipelines in September 2022. The investigation believes that the divers planted explosives on the pipelines in the Baltic Sea.

This is the third attempt by German law enforcement to arrest the suspect. In 2024, he was tried to be arrested in Poland under a European warrant, but he managed to escape and fled to Ukraine. In the fall of 2025, he was again arrested in Poland, but the Polish court refused to extradite him to Germany.

Now, Vladimir Z. is to be handed over to the German authorities and brought before an investigating judge at the Federal Supreme Court of Germany. The basis for the arrest was a European warrant issued in 2024."

🔗 Source:

🇺🇦🇺🇦🏃‍♂ — 🇩🇪 BILD:

"❗️Dozens of Ukrainian soldiers have deserted during training in Germany — Die Zeit

Ukrainian soldiers sent to Germany for training sometimes do not return to their units after completing the course. According to an investigation by Die Zeit, approximately 80 cases of desertion have been registered in the state of Saxony-Anhalt alone. Across Germany, the number could be in the hundreds.

Since 2022, approximately 29,000 Ukrainian soldiers have undergone training at around 60 military facilities in Germany. They studied shooting, camouflage, first aid, and other basic skills. The German Ministry of Defense confirmed that some soldiers "left their training locations without permission," but no nationwide statistics are kept.

According to Ukrainian law, unauthorized absence from a unit is considered desertion and can result in imprisonment. However, the likelihood of the deserters facing a Ukrainian court is slim. At the same time, they cannot automatically qualify for the simplified residency program for Ukrainian refugees in Germany, as they arrived in the country not as civilians fleeing the war.

Some of them may try to stay in Germany through the asylum application process. To do this, they will have to prove that they face danger or persecution if they return to Ukraine. Although Die Zeit reports that the chances of obtaining asylum are low, the process itself can take about a year or longer."

🔗 Source:

🇺🇦❌🇷🇺 — ✍️ ARKHANGEL SPETSNAZA:

"Drone Attacks on Crimea and Tatarstan

✍️ Simultaneously with the Russian Armed Forces' strikes on Ukrainian territory, Ukrainian formations carried out another massive drone attack, involving over 1000 drones in a single day.

Air defense units destroyed at least 726 drones during the night of August 20th. An additional 438 were detected during the day on August 19th.

▪️ Several different targets in the Black Sea zone, as well as in the Volga region and the Urals, were hit, where the flight of "Lutyi" drones was recorded.

In Crimea, a complete blackout occurred after the night attack, and the consequences are currently being addressed. Ukrainian channels report a strike on a substation in Taman.

It is likely that this is the reason for the disruptions in supply. In addition, the Armed Forces of Ukraine attacked a port on the coast of the Krasnodar region.

▪️ For the umpteenth time in recent weeks, Ukrainian formations attacked Nizhnekamsk, specifically the "TANEKO" oil depot.

This time, the AFU again struck civilian targets. According to preliminary reports, the attack was carried out on a hostel where workers were staying. So far, 9 deaths have been reported.

❗️ Drones were also shot down in the direction of the Volgograd and Astrakhan regions. It is not ruled out that the AFU were again attempting to attack ports in the Caspian Sea or gas production platforms in the sea."

🔗 Source:

🇷🇺❌🇺🇦 — 🧐 ISW on 𝕏:

"Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 20, 2026: https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-20-2026/"

🔗 Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar)

🗺🇺🇸❌🇮🇷 — 🧐ISW on 𝕏:

"NEW: US President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the United States will intensify its maximum pressure campaign against Iran in the coming days. Bessent announced on August 20 that the United States will announce further economic measures against Iran and entities with commercial ties to Iran on August 24.

Other Key Takeaways:

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is preparing to implement phased trade and financial restrictions in parallel with upcoming US economic measures. The UAE reportedly plans to phase its reduction of trade and financial engagement with Iran, adopting initial measures to restrict cargo and trade flows.

Iranian officials are acknowledging the mounting economic pressures that Iran faces and are pursuing alternative trade, banking, and financial arrangements designed to reduce the impact of these pressures. Iran is seeking to invest in alternative routes and destinations for its oil exports to alleviate this economic pressure."

🔗 Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar)

🗺🇺🇸❌🇮🇷 — 🧐 ISW on 𝕏:

"Iran Update, August 20, 2026: https://understandingwar.org/research/middle-east/iran-update-august-20-2026/"

🔗 Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar)

🇷🇺❌🇺🇦 — 🧐 ISW on 𝕏:

"MORE: Russian strikes continue inflicting substantial damage in ways that disproportionately impact civilians, despite a high Ukrainian interception rate of all projectiles except for ballistic and quasi-ballistic missiles. Russian forces continue launching prolonged waves of ballistic and cruise missiles and long-range drones to overwhelm Ukrainian air defense systems and to exhaust air defenders and civilians. ISW continues to assess that Russian forces will continue the pattern of stockpiling cruise and ballistic missiles for periodic large, combined strike packages."

🔗 Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar)

🇷🇺❌🇺🇦 — 🇺🇦 General Staff of the Armed Forces:

"Operational Information as of 08:00 on 21.08.2026 regarding the Russian invasion

The 1640th day of the full-scale armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine has begun.

In total, 238 combat clashes were recorded during the past 24 hours.

Yesterday, the enemy launched one missile strike, used missiles that enter their target along a ballistic trajectory, and used 44 cruise/aviation missiles launched from air, ground, and sea-based platforms. They also conducted 87 air strikes using 278 guided air bombs, involved 10,821 kamikaze drones in attacks, and carried out 3077 shelling attacks on the positions of our troops and settlements.

The following settlements in the Sumy region (Neskuchne, Sopych, Koreniok, Potapivka, Volfine, Bezsaliivka, Ulanove, Tovstodubove) and the settlements of Zorya, Buda-Vorobivska, and Yanzhulivka were subjected to artillery fire by the enemy. The enemy also launched an air strike on the area near Velika Chernechchyna.

During the past 24 hours, aviation, rocket forces, and artillery of the Defense Forces struck six unmanned aerial vehicle control points and three areas of concentration of enemy personnel.

In the North-Slobozhansk and Kuriisk directions, our defenders repelled three enemy assaults during the past 24 hours. At the same time, the enemy launched three air strikes, dropping six air bombs, and carried out 53 shelling attacks on the positions of our troops and settlements, including two with multiple launch rocket systems.

In the South-Slobozhansk direction, Ukrainian units repelled eight enemy attacks. The invaders attempted to advance towards the settlements of Lyman, Izbytske, and Okhrimivka, as well as in the area of Starytsia.

On the Kupiansk direction, there were 15 enemy offensive operations towards Radkivka and Hlushkivka.

Attempts to break through our defenses were repelled on the Lyman direction, where the occupiers attacked six times towards the settlements of Lyman, Novoseriivka, Drobysheve, and in the area of Novoselivka.

On the Sloviansk direction, the enemy launched 15 assault operations towards the settlements of Ozirne, Orikhuvatka, Rai-Oleksandrivka, and in the area of Kryva Luka and Riznykivka.

On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian invaders launched two offensive operations in the areas of Nykyforivka and Minkivka.

On the Kostyantynivka direction, 26 attacks were recorded. The invaders conducted assault operations in the areas of the settlements of Kostyantynivka, Ivanovpillya, Illinivka, Novoselivka, and towards Stepanivka, Dovha Balka, and Vilne.

Thirty-two attacks were carried out by the enemy on the Pokrovsk direction. The occupiers attempted to advance in the areas of the settlements of Dorozhne, Novooleksandrivka, Udachne, Kotlyne, and towards the settlements of Novyi Donbas, Bilyakivka, Bilytske, Hanniivka, Svitle, Shevchenko, Myrne, Vasyiivka, Sergiivka, Novopavlivka.

On the Oleksandrivka direction, the invaders launched three attacks towards Nove Zaporezhzhia and in the areas of the settlements of Zaporezhske and Rybne.

On the Huliaipole direction, the occupiers launched 16 attacks on the positions of our defenders. The enemy attempted to advance towards the settlements of Verkhnia Tersa, Charivne, Vozdvizhivka, Rivne, Dolynka, and in the area of Bilohiria.

On the Orikhiv direction, our defenders repelled three enemy attempts to advance in the area of Plavne and towards Mala Tokmachka and Novandriivka.

On the Prydniprovsky direction, the enemy did not conduct offensive operations.

In the Volyn and Polissia directions, no signs of the formation of offensive formations of the occupiers were detected.

In total, during the past 24 hours, the losses of the Russian invaders amounted to 1390 people. Also, three tanks, five armored combat vehicles, 57 artillery systems, two multiple launch rocket systems, four air defense systems, 12 ground robotic complexes, 39 missiles, 1980 unmanned aerial vehicles, 551 units of trucks, and eight units of special equipment of the enemy were destroyed."

🔗 Source:

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

❗️ From 15 to 21 August, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out one massive and nine group strikes by precision weaponry and long-range UAV, which hit Ukrainian defence industry enterprises, logistics centres, fuel-power and transport infrastructure facilities used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, manufacturing workshops of ground-based robotic systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, uncrewed surface vehicles and their components, Flamingo long-range cruise missile preparation and launch sites, ammunition, fuel and materiel depots, as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed groups and foreign mercenaries.

💥 In addition, the infrastructure of the Ukrainian seaports intended for unloading and storing military cargo as well as fuel and lubricants for the AFU, were hit.

🔥 Over the last week, two patrol vessels of the Ukrainian Navy, 10 dry cargo ships and two tankers operating in the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been hit.

🚩 Last week, the Sever Group of Forces took control over Kudiyevka (Kharkov region).

💥 Manpower and military hardware of six mechanised brigades, two motorised infantry brigades, two airmobile brigades, two rocket artillery brigades, two assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, two territorial defence brigades, one national guard brigade, and one border detachment of the Ukrainian border were hit.

▪️ In total, the enemy lost up to 1,550 troops, 11 armoured fighting vehicles, 69 motor vehicles, three artillery guns, and nine electronic warfare and counter-fire stations in the Sever Group's area of responsibility.

📍 The Zapad Group's units took more advantageous lines and positions. During the week, strikes were delivered at units of five mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade, one assault brigade, one mountain assault brigade, one assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, one presidential brigade, two marine brigades, four territorial defence brigades, and one border detachment of the Ukrainian border service.

▪️ The enemy's losses in this direction amounted to more than 1,490 troops, one tank, and 16 armoured fighting vehicles, six of which were manufactured by NATO countries.

▪️ Russian troops destroyed 106 motor vehicles, one Grad MLRS combat vehicle, 15 field artillery guns, and nine electronic warfare stations.

🚩 Last week, as a result of active offensive actions by units of the Yuzhnaya Group of Forces, the settlements of Pershomaryevka, Orekhovatka, and Nikolaipolye (Donetsk People's Republic) were liberated.

💥 The Group's units inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of four mechanised brigades, two airmobile brigades, two mountain assault brigades, one assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and one territorial defence brigade.

▪️ In total, over the past week, in the Yuzhnaya Group's area of responsibility, the AFU lost more than 1,660 troops, 31 armoured fighting vehicles, including 17 Western-made vehicles, 171 motor vehicles, and 22 field artillery guns.

👉 See Part 2

🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

🎖🎖 by Russian Defence Ministry on progress of special military operation from 15 to 21 August 2026

Part 2 (👉 see Part 1)


🚩 During the week, as a result of resolute actions, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces liberated Andreyevskaya Obshchina, Krasnopodolye, Vodyanskoye, and Matyashevo (Donetsk People's Republic).

💥 Strikes were delivered at formations of three mechanised brigades, one jaeger brigade, one assault brigade, three assault regiments of the AFU, two marine brigades, and four national guard brigades.

▪️ The enemy's losses in this direction amounted to more than 2,550 troops, 24 armoured fighting vehicles, and 55 motor vehicles. A Czech-made Vampire MLRS combat vehicle and two Grad MLRS combat vehicles, six field artillery guns, and eight electronic warfare stations were neutralised.

🚩 During the week, units of the Vostok Group of Forces continued to advance to the depths of the enemy's defence. As a result of decisive actions, the settlements of Rybalskoye, Novosoloshino, and, on 20th August, Zelenoye (Zaporozhye region) were liberated.

💥 Russian troops inflicted damage on the formations of two assault brigades, three air assault brigades, three assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and one marine brigade.

▪️ The AFU losses in the Vostok Group's area of responsibility amounted to more than 2,340 troops, two tanks, 15 armoured fighting vehicles, 54 motor vehicles, four field artillery guns, and seven electronic warfare stations.

💥 The Dnepr Group's units inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, one mountain assault brigade, one assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and one marine brigade.

▪️ During the week, more than 260 troops, 130 armoured fighting vehicles, two field artillery guns, two uncrewed surface vehicles, and 13 electronic warfare and counter-fire stations have been neutralised in this direction.

✈️ Russian Aerospace Forces shot down one MiG-29 aircraft of Ukrainian Air Force.

▫️ Air defence systems shot down 70 guided aerial bombs, 17 U.S.-made HIMARS and Czech-made Vampire MLRS projectiles, 26 Flamingo long-range cruise missiles, and 8,477 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

⚓️ The Black Sea Fleet eliminated two uncrewed surface vehicles of the Ukrainian Navy.

📊 In total, since the beginning of the special military operation the enemy has lost:

▫️ 674 airplanes,
▫️ 284 helicopters,
▫️ 215,648 unmanned aerial vehicles,
▫️ 669 anti-aircraft missile systems,
▫️ 30,672 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles,
▫️ 1,774 MLRS combat vehicles,
▫️ 36,224 field artillery guns and mortars,
▫️ 69,823 units of special military vehicles.

🔹 Russian Defence Ministry