On August 1, Russian forces continued their assaults in the vicinity of Soledar, Vershyna, Bakhmut, and towards Avdiivka, but without success. Kharkiv and several other towns in the Kharkiv region were shelled once again.

The first grain ship left Odessa for Lebanon as part of the agreement between Ukraine and Russia regarding the export of food from Ukraine. The United States announced the 17th aid package for Ukraine, valued at $550 million.

On August 2, the Ukrainian side reported that Russia continues to use Belarusian territory to send diversionary and reconnaissance groups into Ukraine. Additionally, Russian forces launched a frontal attack on Avdiivka, occupying Ukrainian defensive positions near the coal mine.

The "Azov" Regiment, whose members had been in Russian captivity after the surrender of Azovstal, was declared a terrorist organization by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. This decision could result in the soldiers of this formation being charged with terrorism and denying the protection granted to prisoners of war.

The War Research Institute reported that Russia is using the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to conduct operations aimed at instilling fear of a nuclear catastrophe in Western countries. The operation involved attacking Ukrainian positions in Nikopol from the power plant grounds to provoke a Ukrainian response. A retaliatory strike could trigger a nuclear disaster and expose Ukraine to condemnation by Western public opinion. A lack of response, however, resulted in continued attacks on Ukrainian positions.

On August 4, the Russians carried out attacks in the Bakhmut and Avdiivka directions, shelling both military and civilian targets. Additionally, three more grain ships safely left Ukraine from the ports of Chornomorsk and Odessa.

The European Union imposed sanctions on Viktor and Oleksandr Yanukovych. Viktor Yanukovych is the former pro-Russian president of Ukraine, sanctioned for his participation in undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence. Oleksandr Yanukovych, the former president's son, was sanctioned for conducting transactions with separatist groups in the Ukrainian Donbas region.

Photo Azovstal Complex. CC BY-SA 3.0.