1 Institute for the Study of War & AEI’s Critical Threats Project 2022
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 20
Kateryna Stepanenko, Grace Mappes, and Frederick W. Kagan
August 20, 9:30 pm ET
Click here to see ISW's interactive map of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This map is
updated daily alongside the static maps present in this report.
Russian occupation officials in Crimea reported another drone attack on the Russian
Black Sea Fleet Headquarters in Sevastopol on August 20. Russian-appointed Governor of
Sevastopol Mikhail Razvozhaev claimed that Russian forces were unable to shoot down a drone,
resulting in the drone hitting the roof of the Black Sea Fleet headquarters.
Razvozhaev then retracted
his initial statement and claimed that a fleet air defense post shot down the drone, which landed on the
roof and caught fire.
Social media footage showed a loud explosion and a cloud of smoke around the
headquarters, and the drone likely detonated rather than being shot down. Some OSINT accounts have
identified the drone as a commercially-available “Skyeye 5000mm Pro UAV.”
Ukrainian officials did
not claim responsibility for the attack as of the time of this publication. ISW has previously reported
that Crimean occupation officials have obliquely accused Ukraine of orchestrating a drone attack on the
headquarters on July 31 during Russia’s Navy Day.
Russian occupation officials in Crimea are likely considering strengthening security on
the peninsula following the attacks on Russian military infrastructure, and such
measures may draw Russian security forces away from the front lines. Razvozhaev stated
that all security services in Sevastopol are operating in “high alert” mode and controlling all entrances
to the city.
Razvozhaev claimed that Sevastopol residents are asking the occupation administration to
increase patrols in the city and establish new checkpoints, returning the peninsula to a security posture
such as it had after Russia initially seized it in 2014. ISW has previously assessed that Russian forces
have been using all types of security forces, including Rosgvardia, as combat forces and will likely need
to divert some of these forces from the front lines and from occupation security duties elsewhere to
defend occupied Crimea.
Russia’s continued failures to stop attacks against occupied Crimea may also
spark public discontent within Russian society. One Russian milblogger criticized Russian forces for
not using more electronic warfare (EW) equipment following the first drone attack on July 31.
Social
media footage already shows many Russians waiting in traffic jams to leave Crimea and go to Russia,
which may indicate growing public concern for the effectiveness of Russian security measures.
Key Takeaways
• Russian occupation officials in Crimea reported another drone attack on the
Russian Black Sea Fleet Headquarters in Sevastopol and are likely considering
strengthening security on the peninsula.
• Russian forces conducted unsuccessful assaults across the Eastern Axis.
• Russian forces attempted limited, failed assaults north of Kharkiv City.
• Russian forces failed to advance after several assaults northwest of Kherson City
and east of Mykolaiv City.
• Ukrainian forces continued to strike Russian ammunition depots and positions in
Kherson and Zaporizhia Oblasts.
• Russian and proxy forces are continuing mobilization efforts, including forced
mobilization in occupied territories and advertising campaigns.
