MORE: Russian forces have increasingly targeted Ukraine-Moldova border infrastructure along key routes that Ukraine uses to conduct imports and exports with Europe in August 2026. Russian forces have struck the Zatoka and Mayakyi bridges (southwest and west of Odesa City, respectively), as well as the Vynohradivka-Vulcănești, Reni-Giurgiulești, and Tabakyi border crossings (all northwest of Izmail) between late July and late August 2026. A Ukrainian State Border Guards Service spokesperson stated on August 25 that Russian forces struck border crossings along the Moldova-Odesa Oblast border three times since August 20. The spokesperson stated that Russian forces are striking Ukraine’s transpo
MORE: Russian forces have increasingly targeted Ukraine-Moldova border infrastructure along key routes that Ukraine uses to conduct imports and exports with Europe in August 2026. Russian forces have struck the Zatoka and Mayakyi bridges (southwest and west of Odesa City, respectively), as well as the Vynohradivka-Vulcănești, Reni-Giurgiulești, and Tabakyi border crossings (all northwest of Izmail) between late July and late August 2026. A Ukrainian State Border Guards Service spokesperson stated on August 25 that Russian forces struck border crossings along the Moldova-Odesa Oblast border three times since August 20. The spokesperson stated that Russian forces are striking Ukraine’s transportation and border infrastructure to disrupt its international ground lines of communication (GLOCs) into Moldova. Russian forces are likely increasingly targeting Ukrainian GLOCs in this area to further disrupt Ukraine’s land-based export routes amid its parallel campaign against Ukrainian port infrastructure affecting Ukraine’s sea lines of communication (SLOCs) to specifically prevent Ukrainian grain exports and generally degrade the Ukrainian economy. Russian forces are likely intensifying such strikes as part of a dual effort to both isolate Ukraine from Europe and degrade Ukraine’s ability to export grain and other exports, while also creating an environment of insecurity to dissuade Moldova, Romania, and international shippers from using these crossings.Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar)NEW: Russia is escalating strikes against Ukrainian-Moldovan border infrastructure in conjunction with its campaign against Ukrainian port and maritime infrastructure. (1/2)
Other Key Takeaways:
Russian forces are using the strikes along the Ukrainian-Moldovan border to achieve broader political effects.
The Kremlin is attempting to address concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decree that set conditions for nationalization of critical infrastructure facilities.
Russia launched another satellite into orbit on August 24 for military purposes, potentially as part of its broader efforts to establish a Rassvet (Russian analogue to Starlink) satellite constellation.
US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe reportedly arrived in Moscow on an unscheduled trip, marking what would be Ratcliffe’s first visit to Russia since becoming CIA director.
Ukrainian forces continued their long-range strike campaign against Russian oil and energy infrastructure. Russia launched an unspecified number of Iskander-M ballistic missiles, Kh-31P anti-radar missiles, and 150 drones against Ukraine overnight.
