🇺🇦🇺🇦🏃‍♂ — 🇩🇪 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

🇺🇦❌🇷🇺 — ✍️ ARKHANGEL SPETSNAZA:

"Attack on Perm

✍️ After several days with over 1000 drones in each attack, the Ukrainian side used a smaller number of drones tonight.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, air defense units shot down and destroyed at least 325 drones. If we include the daytime figures, the total number is 389.

▪️ The geography of the attacks remains extensive. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are sending groups of drones in different directions to strain air defense units.

One group was detected overnight over the Republic of Udmurtia and the Perm Region (likely the ones that were sent during the day).

❗️ Ukrainian sources are now circulating videos of an attack on the Perm Oil Refinery, which is over 1600 km away.

Attacks on the oil and gas sector have once again become a priority for the enemy, which has led to a new wave of fuel shortages in Russia."

🔗 Source:

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

"⚡️⚡️ Strikes hit the "Lukoil-Permnefteorgsintez" oil refinery and the "Marinovka" airfield.

⚡️On the night of August 21, 2026, units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine struck the "Lukoil-Permnefteorgsintez" oil refinery in Perm, Perm Krai, Russia.

A fire was reported on the territory of the facility.

The oil refinery is located over 1500 kilometers from the border of Ukraine.

ℹ️ "Lukoil-Permnefteorgsintez" is one of the leading oil refining enterprises in Russia, located in Perm. The plant's design capacity is over 13 million tons of oil per year.

The plant processes oil and produces over 60 types of products.
The depth of oil refining is approximately 98 percent, which is one of the highest rates among all oil refining enterprises in Russia.

The enterprise is involved in supplying the Russian army.

⚡️Also, the "Marinovka" airfield in the Volgograd region of Russia was struck.

The extent of the damage is being clarified."

🔗 Source:

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

"⚡️⚡️ A storage site for attack drones, warehouses of material and technical supplies, command posts, and enemy ground repeaters have been hit.

On August 20th and during the night of August 21st, 2026, units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck a number of important targets of the Russian aggressor.

Specifically, a storage, preparation, and launch site for attack drones was hit in the area of the city of Donetsk, in the Donetsk region.

In addition, a warehouse of material and technical supplies belonging to the enemy was hit in Novoselskoe, in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukrainian Crimea.

Our soldiers also struck two enemy command posts – one in Zaporizhzhia, in the Donetsk region, and another in Kobylne, in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Furthermore, on the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, six ground repeaters used for controlling attack drones of the "Geran" / "Gerbera" type were hit: two in Steregushchy, three in the area of Olenivka, and one in Chornomorske.

ℹ️ A ground repeater provides the transmission of control and communication signals between the operator and the drone, expanding its range and stability."

🔗 Source:

🇺🇸🛰🇷🇺 — ⭐️ Rybar:

"All eyes on Northern Russia! US attention focused on Northern Fleet bases.

Rocket strikes and drone incursions have gradually become a routine part of the conflict. However, even with their frequency, it would be a mistake to think that escalation cannot go further. Attempts by the enemy to use saboteurs and small UAVs, thwarted by the FSB, are proof of this.

Given the attention that American satellites are paying to Russian facilities, there are grounds to believe that subversive activity will only increase.

🔻What are the US observing?
➡️ In the first half of August, military satellites were tracking the positions of the Northern Fleet in the area around Severomorsk in high and maximum detail, including naval bases, airfields, and armories.
➡️ In the second half of the month, satellites began actively photographing the Rybachiy Peninsula, including air defense positions, a border guard post, and the territory of a former military town.
➡️ We had already pointed out this situation in July: the intensity of satellite reconnaissance in the north has increased. And in June, a trend began to emerge of increased activity by the American space group.

🖍 Under these conditions, it is necessary to remain vigilant (however trite it may sound). But during the special military operation, it has often been observed that the further a region is from the zone of combat operations, the more relaxed people become and the less they take into account past negative experiences.

❗️ The attention of the collective West will always be focused on northern Russia, where Russia's strategic forces are located (including both aviation and naval assets). And since they have a "pet" called Armed Forces of Ukraine, which they can use to inflict damage on the Russian Federation, when reconnaissance activity increases, one must be prepared for anything.

High-resolution map"

🔗 Source:

• Fwd from @
📝NATO practices algorithmic warfare📝

From August 13 to September 11, American soldiers will conduct exercises Saber Junction 26 in Bavaria. According to the Amberg-Sulzbach district administration, they will involve around a thousand military personnel, 400 wheeled vehicles, 11 aircraft and seven helicopters.

The exercises will cover the districts of Amberg-Sulzbach, Neumarkt, Neustadt an der Waldnaab, Regensburg and Schwandorf, as well as the cities of Amberg and Weiden. Part of the activities are scheduled for nighttime.

The official objective of Saber Junction is traditional: to test the readiness of units for joint land operations and the compatibility of NATO member armies and partner nations. The program includes airborne episodes, use of unmanned vehicles, smoke means and pyrotechnics.

📌At the same time, colleagues at @Belarus_VPO point out that NATO will launch a new "offensive concept" here with Ukrainian military personnel and the staff of the Spanish "Castillejos" division. Official statements do not confirm this.

❗️But the alliance's technological vector is changing. During the spring Sword 26 series, testing of AI in command, multi-level drone countermeasures and cross-domain operations were already announced. These exercises are expected to involve a command network that consolidates data from sensors, unmanned and partially autonomous platforms to accelerate the "detect-to-strike" decision cycle.

📍High resolution map

📍English version

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