ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 26, 2025

Latest from the Institute for the Study of War.

Key Takeaways from the ISW:

  • The United States is reportedly willing to supply supporting assets to a European-led force grouping as part of postwar security guarantees for Ukraine. The Kremlin has repeatedly rejected the presence of troops from NATO countries as part of any security guarantee for Ukraine in recent weeks.
  • The United States will impose an additional 25 percent tariff on India’s exports to the United States due to India’s ongoing purchases of Russian oil.
  • Recent Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s oil refineries have contributed to gasoline shortages across Russia that will likely raise inflation and cause further macroeconomic instability in Russia.
  • The Russian government proposed that Russian President Vladimir Putin withdraw from the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
  • Russian residents in border areas are increasingly apathetic toward the war and accepting that Russia will not agree to an end to the war in the near future.
  • Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Sumy and Borova. Russian forces recently advanced near Sumy.

Authors: Jennie Olmsted, Christina Harward, Anna Harvey, Justin Young, and Frederick W. Kagan with Nate Trotter

See the original here.