Ukraine war situation update | 15 – 21 August 2026

Country: Ukraine Source: Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Please refer to the attached file. Ukraine Conflict Monitor Update Ukraine continues to expand its campaign against Russia’s economy and Crimea’s energy infrastructure. 1, 922 conflict events 1% decrease compared to last week 196 incidents of violence targeting civilians 16% decrease compared to last week At least 118 civilians killed by targeted violence 27% increase compared to last week 1, 135 air- and drone strikes 1% decrease compared to last week 260 shelling events 7% decrease compared to last week 514 armed clashes 7% increase compared to last week 206 Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure 19% decrease compared to last week Number of events and change compared to last week (per target): Education: 20 events Healthcare: 6 events Energy: 32 events Residential: 174 events Ukraine conducted at least 35 attacks against energy infrastructure in occupied regions last week, close to the monthly average between January and May, and over half of them in Crimea. The strikes have targeted electrical substations, gas networks, and power plants, and have been on the rise since June. They have led to power outages, water supply issues, and price surges on the peninsula. As Ukraine aims to sever Russian communication lines with Crimea and complicate military operations there, the strikes are likely to continue to further affect the local population as temperatures start to drop in the coming months. In Russia proper, Ukraine expanded its campaign against Russia’s economy. Since 21 August, Ukrainian forces have targeted the warehouses of Russia’s second-largest online retailer. Russia vowed to retaliate and not only attacked civilian warehouses across Ukraine, but also grain export facilities, steel plants, and shopping malls, including the deadly strike on a mall in Kryvyi Rih on 21 August. While framed as retaliation, Russian strikes on a broad range of civilian targets are not new and are set to continue regardless of the Ukrainian campaign, unless the struggling economy forces Russia to accept a limited ceasefire. 20 Aug. Volyn — About 30 civilians attack Ukrainian draft officers during a document check in Lutsk 20 Aug. Kyiv — Russian drones and ballistic missiles kill 17 civilians and wound over 40 others in Kyiv city 21 Aug. Dnipropetrovsk — Russian drones strike a mall in Kryvyi Rih, killing 16 civilians and injuring at least 140 others

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