Russia forms new volunteer battalions for war in Ukraine

Russian federal subjects are forming new volunteer battalions in Novosibirsk, Saratov, Ulyanovsk, and Kurgan Oblasts, and are changing time periods for enlistment compensations.

Russian forces made incremental advances around Avdiivka and are continuing attempts to push southwest of Avdiivka. Caliber.Az reports referring to the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) on August 2. 

Ukrainian HIMARS strikes have prompted many military bloggers and military correspondents to express concern over the effectiveness of air defence systems and the threats to Russian logistics, and these strikes are likely demoralizing Russian servicemen on the ground.

Unconfirmed social media reports suggest that Iran may have sent the first batch of drones to Russia and sent pilots and maintenance personnel to train on the Russian Su-35, potentially suggesting that Iran may seek to use recent aviation agreements to facilitate the acquisition of Russian combat aircraft.

A Russian missile strike reportedly damaged a Ukrainian air defence system in Lviv Oblast on August 2.[16] The Ukrainian Air Force Command reported that Russian forces launched eight Kh-101 (Kh-555) missiles in the direction of central, southern, and western Ukrainian Oblasts from their positions in the Caspian Sea.