ISW: Russia falsely classifies Ukrainians as "refugees", looking for new "volunteers"

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has reported that Russia continues to form new so-called volunteer units, particularly in Primorsky Krai [Territory], promising bonuses and salaries of more than $3,000.

Russian occupation officials in Zaporizhzhya Oblast [Region] have obliquely declared the region's independence from Ukraine by falsely identifying Ukrainian citizens entering the occupied region as temporary asylum seekers, Caliber.Az reports citing the ISW analysis.

Head of the Zaporizhzhya Oblast occupation administration Yevheny Balitsky signed an order that designates Ukrainian citizens arriving in occupied Zaporizhzhya Oblast as temporary asylum seekers based on Russian law.

According to ISW data, Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks southwest and southeast of Izyum near the Kharkiv-Donetsk Oblast border on August 22.

Moreover, Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks southeast of Siversk, and continued ground attacks northeast and south of Bakhmut on the same day.

Combat footage posted by the Russian outlet Zvezda shows Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) soldiers reportedly moving through residential areas of Soledar under the cover of artillery fire.

As the ISW analysis says, on August 22, Russian troops conducted multiple assaults on the Mykolayiv-Kherson line and likely captured the frontline village of Blahodatne, Mykolayiv Oblast, approximately 35 km from Mykolayiv city.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian intelligence reported that the Luhansk People's Republic (LNR) will begin "general mobilization" proceedings on September 1.

Ukrainian civilians attacked a Russian soldier in the occupied Melitopol overnight on August 21-22.

Russian federal entities (regions) continued to form new volunteer units and recruit volunteers for Russian security services. Primorsky Krai announced the formation of a new repair and service "Arsenievskiy" Volunteer Battalion on August 22. The battalion will focus on evacuating damaged military equipment, repairing damaged equipment, and returning refurbished equipment to the frontlines.

In addition, Kremlin-affiliated outlet Kommersant reported that the battalion had already recruited 140 out of 280 planned volunteers as of August 22.

As reported, Primorsky Krai offered recruits ages 18 to 60 a one-time enlistment bonus of 300,000 roubles (about $4,980) and monthly salaries of 200,000 roubles (about $3,320).