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It's time for market research to evolve.

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Founder and CEO of market research consultancy, Alter Agents ; believer that powerful insights can change businesses.

If you read the news—on nearly any subject—then you’ve probably seen references to data from the Pew Research Center, which is a “nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world.” Considered the standard bearer for market research best practices, the organization recently took a stand on the way it will approach and report on generational data. I recently wrote about the challenges of pigeonholing generations , focusing on the way that Gen Z has pushed us to evolve our ideas about generational norms and categorizations.

Pew’s assertion, based on a year of research and exploration, shows a thoughtful understanding of how generational research needs to change. The Center even goes so far as to outline details about the new approach it will be using moving forward. This provides researchers with a potential framework for the future, keeping in mind specific parameters such as historical data for use in comparisons and the consideration of demographic characteristics beyond age. We can’t simply default to a generational label or definition—instead, we should take a wide number of variables into consideration with every project.

As one would expect, Pew provides many solid reasons for this evolution, but I really only needed to hear one: “By choosing not to use the standard generational labels when they’re not appropriate, we can avoid reinforcing harmful stereotypes or oversimplifying people’s complex lived experiences.”

Rethinking Research

Honestly, we can take Pew’s premise and apply it to many of our traditional approaches to research—approaches that don’t give us true, authentic human understanding in an ecosystem that has changed wildly since many of our practices were put into place. If the way we are thinking about research is faulty from the get-go, then what chance do we have of providing data that will drive decision making that serves, at minimum, a brand’s target audience, and, at best, society as a whole?

These are themes that my coauthor and I grappled with in our book, Influencing Shopper Decisions , where we laid out our decades of experience, plus in-depth primary research, that clearly shows the way we approach research needs to change. Generational research is only one tip in a sea of icebergs.

Two Things Market Research Needs To Take Into Account

In our book, we outlined a vast number of things that market research needs to consider to evolve. Here are the top two:

The New Shopper Journey

There is no doubt that the youngest shoppers in our economy (commonly called “Gen Z”) are driving new behaviors, including wielding their spending power to evolve the way people shop. But they aren’t the only influence that has completely transformed the shopping landscape—for consumers of all ages. Technological advancements, social upheaval, economic disruption and a multitude of other factors are also key in this shift—something that we call “ shopper promiscuity ,” or the propensity of people to seek out and try new things.

The linear path to purchase is no more, and we need to stop approaching research as if it still exists. It’s less of a journey through the long-held metrics of awareness, consideration and loyalty and more like a multitude of random touchpoints, based on each individual’s unique set of circumstances and their unlimited access to information and choices. Research needs to lay aside assumptions surrounding how people are shopping and making decisions, and it needs to employ models that are consumer-centric.

Brand Loyalty Is No More

Research has long been centered around what people think about a certain brand and its attributes, but this approach has its foundation in the outdated concept of brand loyalty. Instead of shedding light on consumer audiences, this narcissistic approach to research throws up barriers at every turn. People don’t think in terms of brand (in fact, our research shows it is low on the list of considerations).

Market researchers need to think like shoppers do and revisit how they are asking questions in order to collect good insights. We won’t find out anything new that drives good business strategy by asking brand-centered questions in the same way that we always have. The best data will come from questions that seek to authentically understand consumers themselves, and their circumstances, not those that focus on the brand.

Authentically Understanding Humans

Human behaviors and sentiments are constantly changing, as is the context in which we are making decisions. Market research needs to evolve as well in order to deliver authentic human understanding—this is something that is underlined in bold marker by the Pew Research Center’s latest move to rethink generational silos.

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Research: How Price Changes Influence Consumers’ Buying Decisions

• Ioannis Evangelidis
• Manissa Gunadi

Online shopping platforms allow people to see changes in a product’s price over time — offering opportunities for buyers and sellers alike.

Whether on retailers’ own platforms or through third-party price tracking services, today’s consumers often have access to detailed information regarding changes in a product’s price over time. But how does this visibility influence their purchasing decisions? Through a series of studies, the authors found that buyers are more likely to buy now if they see a single large price decrease or a series of smaller price increases, because they’ll assume that the price will go up if they wait. Conversely, they’re more likely to hold off on buying if they see a single large price increase or a series of smaller decreases, because they’ll assume the price will fall. As such, they argue that sellers should consider this effect when pricing their products, while buyers should recognize and question this natural tendency — to expect price streaks to continue and single large changes to reverse — before acting on it.

Whether you’re looking to buy a plane ticket or a pair of socks, more and more online shopping platforms now offer consumers a detailed look into products’ historical prices. But how does this information influence buying decisions?

• IE Ioannis Evangelidis is an associate professor of marketing at ESADE Business School, Ramon Llull University, in Barcelona, Spain. His research focuses on how consumers make decisions, particularly how their purchase behavior can be influenced by changes in the decision environment.
• MG Manissa Gunadi is an assistant professor of marketing at EADA Business School in Barcelona, Spain. In her research, Manissa primarily investigates how different forms of numerical information influence consumers’ judgments, decision-making, and behavior.

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by Sarah Schmidt , on June 7, 2022

Here's a quick look at some major publications that recently cited MarketResearch.com and our research divisions The Freedonia Group and Packaged Facts. 

The Wall Street Journal: Clearlake Capital Wraps Up Latest Fund with $14.1 Billion

The pet industry grew by 14% to 123 billion in 2021, and is expected to be recession-resistant, according to Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com.

The New York Times : The Tesla Effect: Snowmobiles, Boats and Mowers Go Electric

In 2020, electric mowers, leaf blowers and other equipment accounted for 17 percent of the market in the United States, according to The Freedonia Group, a division of MarketResearch.com.

Nasdaq : Chewy’s Recent Crash Is an Opportunity in Disguise

Market research firm Packaged Facts estimates that the online channel accounted for 36% of the pet food and supplies market last year, a share that’s expected to go up to 54% by 2025.

Forbes : In Announcing Russian Oil Embargo, Biden Warns Companies Against Profiting from Crisis

Nick Cunningham, an analyst with The Freedonia Group, said that limiting the extent of the price hikes following the administration’s decision to ban Russian energy imports, “will be difficult to judge."

Fortune : Pet Care Has Never Been as Fancy as It Is Now

David Sprinkle, analyst at Packaged Facts, speculates the cause behind this current wave of pet industry startups is two-fold.

Financial Times : Industry Turns to Private 5G to Speed Digital Change

According to a forecast from MarketResearch.com, the private 5G network market will grow at an average rate of 40 percent a year between 2021 and 2028, by which time it will be worth $14 billion.

Reuters : EXCLUSIVE Buyout Funds Circle Germany’s Transporeon Ahead of $1.1 Billion Sale

Germany has the largest logistics market in Europe — greater than France and Britain combined, with the industry in Germany expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 2% up to 2025, based on a MarketResearch.com study.

Consumer Reports : How to Order Pet Meds Online

The number of pet owners who are purchasing flea and tick preventives and other veterinary medications online is growing: 18 percent of pet medications were sold online in 2021, and that number is projected to jump to 30 percent by 2026, according to a 2022 report by the market research firm Packaged Facts.

Newsweek : Adorable Lizard Who ‘Doesn’t Understand Obstacles’ Is Outsmarted by Pillow

Interest in reptiles as pets has grown over the last decade, with 85 percent of “other” pet owners (including reptiles) saying their pet is a part of the family, according to Packaged Facts February/March 2020 survey.

CNBC Africa : How Missiles and Drones Shape the Future of the Military

Private security is expected to grow to an $81 billion industry by 2023, and that’s just in the United States, according to The Freedonia Group.

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The stock market risks keeping Wall Street's biggest bulls up at night

• The bulls on Wall Street have been largely right about the stock market over the past two years.
• Business Insider asked three bullish stock strategists what they consider the biggest risks.
• They worry about geopolitical tensions, a market melt-up scenario, and Fed policy.

With the S&P 500 trading less than 1% below its record highs, there's plenty to be bullish about on Wall Street.

Inflation is falling back to the Federal Reserve's long-term target, interest rate cuts appear imminent, and corporate earnings, the consumer, and the broader economy are all proving resilient.

But there are plenty of risks, too, with some economists worried about a cooling labor market and a potential recession.

Yet, those economists have been largely wrong about what could sink the stock market and economy.

Business Insider talked to several people who have been right so far in the past few years , including three bullish strategists, to gauge what's worrying them about the stock market as it cruises to fresh records.

Here's what they had to say.

BMO's Brian Belski

For BMO chief investment strategist Brian Belski, his big concern is that he's betting against fewer people in the market as overwhelmingly bearish sentiment just a few months ago has now flipped bullish.

"In May/June, when you had a lot of bears or those that had been late to jump on the bull parade all of a sudden switch their forecasts and kind of chase markets up, which is pretty, I mean pretty, pretty, pretty classic," Belski told Business Insider.

He added: "I just think that too many people are bullish again."

Though it sounds counterintuitive, Belski is worried about the stock market moving significantly higher, not lower, from here, because that would set up a prime environment for a sharp pullback down the road.

"I don't want to see a super spike now. I think the faster the market goes up right now, that would worry me," Belski said.

And with many investors feeling bullish about stocks, the market is more vulnerable to a sell-off if there's a macro surprise that badly misses estimates.

"From a sentiment perspective, we're one bad macro data point away from a pullback," Belski said.

As to what that macro data point could be, a surprise surge in inflation, a really bad jobs report, or a big miss from Nvidia all come to mind for Belski.

Yardeni Research's Eric Wallerstein

Eric Wallerstein, chief market strategist at Yardeni Research, told Business Insider that there are two tail risks that could halt the stock market's advance that should be on investors' radars.

The first one is rising geopolitical tensions.

"Let's say the Middle East blows out, Russia-Ukraine, China-Taiwan, like just the overall geopolitical scene is much more tense," Wallerstein said.

On top of that, populist movements and nationalism are gaining popularity in countries around the world, and that's not great for a globalized economy, according to Wallerstein.

"That just leads to a world with less strand and less growth," Wallerstein said.

The second risk is, similar to Belski's concern, a 1990's type melt-up in the stock market.

"The idea is, valuations expand and you kind of get a blow off top, because the market gets too ebullient, and then that creates the conditions to get a bear market," Wallerstein said.

And the Fed could pour gasoline onto the fire if it cuts interest rates aggressively, according to Wallerstein.

"If they do cut that much, which is such an extreme path of policy, I think that blow off top becomes increasingly likely, and it's definitely something we're worried about," Wallerstein said.

While riding a bubble on the way up isn't a bad thing, it's the sharp and quick downturn that often follows a bubble peak that could lead to a period of significant underperformance for investors.

Carson Group's Sonu Varghese

Sonu Varghese, global macro strategist at Carson Group, told Business Insider that he has been "thinking about rising risks for a few months now."

"We still like equities and haven't changed our overweight, but we've increased our exposure to diversifiers like long-term treasuries and low volatility equities," Varghese said.

Varghese's more defensive portfolio posture is driven mostly by what a policy mistake from the Federal Reserve could look like.

With the inflation fight largely over, and labor market trends broadly weakening, "policy is too tight," Varghese said.

"The risk is that the Fed doesn't act aggressively enough to arrest the labor market downtrend, and instead follows a gradual approach to rate cuts that leaves them further behind the curve. Which also means they'll have to do larger catch up cuts later on (a re-run of what happened in 2022, but from the opposite side," Varghese explained.

While he sees no risk of an imminent recession, he said the risk of a recession will rise within the next six to 12 months if the Fed falls far behind the curve.

"That could potentially impact equities - bad economic data will likely be traded as bad news by investors," Varghese warned.

To be clear, all three of these strategists are sticking with stocks and still have a bullish view of what lies ahead for the market.

But even they worry about the neverending list of potential risks.

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Why Thousands of Haitians Have Settled in Springfield, Ohio

Businesses needed workers, and Haitians, many already authorized to work, heard living costs were low. But the newcomers have strained resources, and that has fueled tension.

• Share full article

By Miriam Jordan

Miriam Jordan reported recently from Springfield, Ohio.

Over the last few years, many immigrants from Haiti have settled in Springfield, Ohio, drawn by the low cost of living and plentiful jobs. But the pace and volume of Haitian newcomers have strained local resources and stirred some tensions. And now, ahead of the presidential election, the city has found itself caught up in the fiery debate over immigration.

JD Vance, the Republican nominee for vice president, invoked Springfield in July to criticize the Biden administration’s border policies. That month, the city’s mayor and manager went on the cable news program “Fox & Friends” calling for assistance to handle an influx that they blamed on the federal government. Then, during the presidential debate last week, former President Donald J. Trump repeated a debunked claim about Haitians in Springfield abducting and eating household pets.

What’s behind the rise of Haitians in Springfield?

Thousands of new jobs had been created there, thanks to a successful effort by the city’s leadership and Chamber of Commerce to attract new business to Springfield, which sits between Columbus and Dayton. Once a manufacturing hub, Springfield saw its economy shrink after factories closed and jobs migrated overseas. By about 2015, its population had dwindled to under 60,000, from about 80,000 in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Companies that set up shop, however, confronted a dire labor shortage.

Haitians in Florida, Haiti and South America heard from friends and family about Springfield and its need for workers. They began arriving to take jobs in warehouses, manufacturing and the service sector, and employers urged the new workers to encourage other Haitians to join them.

What started as a trickle swelled to a surge after the Covid-19 pandemic, coinciding with deepening political and economic instability in Haiti after the assassination of the president in 2021.

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Ukraine knocks out Russian refinery in major attack

• Medium Text
• Ukraine launches mass drone attack
• Fire at NORSI refinery, drone downed near Kirishi
• NORSI is badly damaged - sources
• Russia says it repels cross-border attack by Ukrainian proxies

HITTING RUSSIAN ENERGY

BORDER ATTACK

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Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow and Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Ron Popeski and Stephen Coates

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

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As Moscow bureau chief, Guy runs coverage of Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Before Moscow, Guy ran Brexit coverage as London bureau chief (2012-2022). On the night of Brexit, his team delivered one of Reuters historic wins - reporting news of Brexit first to the world and the financial markets. Guy graduated from the London School of Economics and started his career as an intern at Bloomberg. He has spent over 14 years covering the former Soviet Union. He speaks fluent Russian.

France's Breton says he steps down as EU commissioner

French European Union Commissioner Thierry Breton on Monday said he'd quit the bloc's executive body, publishing a picture of his resignation letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on social network X.

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Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 27, 2024

Angelica Evans, Christina Harward, Riley Bailey, Nicole Wolkov, and Frederick W. Kagan

July 27, 2024, 3:00pm 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.

Click here to see ISW’s 3D control of terrain topographic map of Ukraine. Use of a computer (not a mobile device) is strongly recommended for using this data-heavy tool.

Click here to access ISW’s archive of interactive time-lapse maps of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These maps complement the static control-of-terrain map that ISW produces daily by showing a dynamic frontline. ISW will update this time-lapse map archive monthly.

Note: The data cut-off for this product was 11:30pm ET on July 27. ISW will cover subsequent reports in the July 28 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment.

Ukrainian forces reportedly conducted successful drone strikes against an oil refinery and Russian military airfields in Saratov, Ryazan, and Murmansk oblasts on the night of July 26 to 27.  Sources with Ukrainian special services told Ukrainian media   that Ukraine's Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) struck Russian military airfields in Engles, Saratov Oblast; the Dyaghilev Airfield and an oil refinery in Ryazan Oblast; and the Olenya Airfield in Murmansk Oblast with drones.[1]  Suspilne ' s  sources reported that Russian forces base an unspecified number of Tu-95, Tu-22, Tu-134, and Il-78 (tanker) aircraft at the Dyaghilev Airfield and that the GUR drones damaged a TU-22M3 strategic bomber at the Olenya Airfield. Russian officials, including the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD), claimed that Russian air defenses destroyed an unspecified number of drones over Saratov and Ryazan oblasts, although Russian sources published footage of Ukrainian drones operating over Ryazan City.[2] Additional sources told  Suspilne  that GUR "sabotage activities" damaged an Mi-28 and a Ka-226 helicopter at an aircraft construction enterprise in Moscow Oblast on July 21 and destroyed another Mi-8 helicopter at the Kryazh Airfield in Samara Oblast on July 24.[3] Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi stated during an interview with UK outlet  The Guardian  published on July 24 that Ukrainian drones had targeted around 200 critical infrastructure sites connected to military logistics in rear areas of Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion.[4]

Russia continues to deepen bilateral relations with Iran and North Korea in exchange for the provision of lethal aid to the Russian military for use in Ukraine.  Iranian state-affiliated media outlet  Mehr News Agency  reported on July 23 that Iran will launch its "Hod Hod" and "Kosar" satellites into low earth orbit from an unspecified Russian station in October 2024.[5]  Bloomberg  reported on July 25 that South Korea's Bank of Korea estimated that North Korea's gross domestic product (GDP) grew 3.1 percent in 2023 compared to 2022 after annual contractions since 2019.[6] The Bank of Korea estimated that North Korea's heavy and chemical industries, particularly the production of iron, steel, copper, nickel, and aluminum, grew the most in 2023 by 8.1 percent. South Korean Defense Minister Shin Wonsik previously stated that Russia's provision of food to North Korea in exchange for weapons helped North Korea stabilize prices and likely boosted North Korean domestic manufacturing.[7] North Korea has reportedly transferred as many as 4.8 million artillery shells to Russia, and Iran has supplied Shahed-136/131 drones and components to Russia.[8]

Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian forces reportedly conducted successful drone strikes against an oil refinery and Russian military airfields in Saratov, Ryazan, and Murmansk oblasts on the night of July 26 to 27.
• Russia continues to deepen bilateral relations with Iran and North Korea in exchange for the provision of lethal aid to the Russian military for use in Ukraine.
• Ukrainian forces recently regained positions near Toretsk, and Russian forces recently advanced west and southwest of Donetsk City, and Ukrainian forces recently advanced in Vovchansk.
• The Russian government continues efforts to use the "Time of Heroes" program to integrate Russian veterans into society.

We do not report in detail on Russian war crimes because these activities are well-covered in Western media and do not directly affect the military operations we are assessing and forecasting. We will continue to evaluate and report on the effects of these criminal activities on the Ukrainian military and the Ukrainian population and specifically on combat in Ukrainian urban areas. We utterly condemn Russian violations of the laws of armed conflict and the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity even though we do not describe them in these reports.

• Russian Main Effort – Eastern Ukraine (comprised of three subordinate main efforts)
• Russian Subordinate Main Effort #1 – Push Ukrainian forces back from the international border with Belgorod Oblast and approach to within tube artillery range of Kharkiv City
• Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2 – Capture the remainder of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and encircle northern Donetsk Oblast
• Russian Subordinate Main Effort #3 – Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast
• Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis
• Russian Air, Missile, and Drone Campaign
• Russian Mobilization and Force Generation Efforts
• Russian Technological Adaptations
• Activities in Russian-occupied areas
• Ukrainian Defense Industrial Base Efforts

Russian Information Operations and Narratives

• Significant Activity in Belarus

Russian Main Effort – Eastern Ukraine

Russian Subordinate Main Effort #1 – Kharkiv Oblast   ( Russian objective: Push Ukrainian forces back from the international border with Belgorod Oblast and approach to within tube artillery range of Kharkiv City)

Ukrainian forces recently advanced within Vovchansk (northeast of Kharkiv City) amid continued Russian ground attacks in northern Kharkiv Oblast on July 27. Geolocated footage published on July 26 and 27 indicates that Ukrainian forces recently advanced further along Soborna Street in central Vovchansk and Stepova Street in northeastern Vovchansk.[9] A Russian milblogger claimed that Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Starytsya (northeast of Kharkiv City).[10] Russian forces continued assaults north of Kharkiv City near Hlyboke and Slobozhanske and northeast of Kharkiv City near Vovchansk and Tykhe.[11] The Ukrainian Kharkiv Group of Forces reported that Russian forces transferred several groups from the Sotnytskyi Kozachok area to forward positions, likely in another area of frontline in the Kharkiv direction.[12]

Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2 – Luhansk Oblast  (Russian objective: Capture the remainder of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and northern Donetsk Oblast)

Russian forces continued offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line on July 27, but there were no changes to the frontline. Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces advanced southeast of Kupyansk near Hlushkivka and north of Pishchane and in the forest area west of Kreminna, but ISW has not observed confirmation of these claims.[13] Russian forces continued assaults northeast of Kupyansk near Synkivka; southeast of Kupyansk near Tabaivka, Novoselivske, and Stelmakhivka; southwest of Svatove near Novoyehorivka, Makiivka, Nevske, and Novoserhiivka; west of Kreminna near Terny; and southwest of Kreminna near the Serebryanske forest area.[14]

Russian Subordinate Main Effort #3 – Donetsk Oblast  (Russian objective: Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast, the claimed territory of Russia’s proxies in Donbas)

Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Siversk direction on July 27 but did not make confirmed gains in the area. Russian forces continued offensive operations east of Siversk near Verkhnokamyanske and southeast of Siversk near Spirne and Ivano-Dariivka on July 26 and 27.[15] A Russian milblogger claimed that elements of the Russian 106th Airborne (VDV) Division are consolidating positions on the outskirts of Pereizne (south of Siversk).[16] Elements of the Russian 1st Detachment of the “Wolves” Sabotage and Reconnaissance Brigade are reportedly operating near Soledar (south of Siversk), and elements of the 2nd Artillery Brigade (2nd Luhansk People's Republic Army Corps [LNR AC]) are reportedly continuing to operate in the Siversk direction.[17]

Russian forces continued offensive operations near Chasiv Yar on July 27, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline. Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces continue to advance west of Kalynivka (north of Chasiv Yar), although ISW has yet to observe confirmation of Russian forces operating west of the Siverskyi-Donets Donbas Canal within the settlement or the nearby area.[18] Russian forces continued offensive operations near Chasiv Yar, north of Chasiv Yar near Hryhorivka, and southeast of Chasiv Yar near Andriivka on July 26 and 27.[19]

Ukrainian forces recently regained lost positions near Toretsk amid continued Russian offensive operations in the area on July 27. Geolocated footage published on July 27 indicates that Ukrainian forces recently regained lost positions in northern Pivdenne (southeast of Toretsk).[20] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces advanced further within central Zalizne (southeast of Toretsk) and in Pivnichne (east of Toretsk), but ISW has not observed confirmation of these claims.[21] Russian forces continued offensive operations near Toretsk, Pivnichne, Zalizne, and south of Toretsk near Niu York on July 26 and 27.[22]

Russian forces reportedly advanced northwest of Avdiivka on July 27, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline in the area. The Russian MoD claimed that elements of the Russian Central Grouping of Forces seized Lozuvatske (northwest of Avdiivka), consistent with ISW's assessment of Russian advances in the area.[23] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces advanced to the eastern outskirts of Vesele (northwest of Avdiivka), entered the settlement, and seized up to roughly a third of Vesele, although ISW has not observed confirmation of these claims.[24] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces northwest of Avdiivka also advanced near Vovche and Prohres and in the direction of Ivanivka.[25] Russian forces continued offensive operations north of Avdiivka near Kalynove; northwest of Avdiivka near Vozdvyzhenka, Novooleksandrivka, Vesele, Serhiivka, Tymofiivka, Novoselivka Persha, Vovche, Zhelanne, Mezhove, and Lysychne; west of Avdiivka near Yasnobrodivka; and southwest of Avdiivka near Karlivka and Netaylove on July 26 and 27.[26] Elements of the 41st Combined Arms Army [CAA] (Central Military District [CMD]) are reportedly operating within Lozuvatske.[27]

Russian forces recently advanced west and southwest of Donetsk City amid continued offensive operations in the area on July 27. Geolocated footage published on July 26 showing Russian forces raising a Russian flag in northern Krasnohorivka (west of Donetsk City) indicates that Russian forces recently advanced in the settlement, and Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces also advanced in western Krasnohorivka.[28] Geolocated published on July 27 indicates that Russian forces advanced further south of Kostyantynivka (southwest of Donetsk City) during the roughly reinforced battalion-size mechanized assault that Russian forces conducted in the area on July 24.[29] Russian forces continued offensive operations west of Donetsk City near Heorhiivka and Krasnohorivka and southwest of Donetsk City near Kostyantynivka, Paraskoviivka, and Vodyane on July 26 and 27.[30] Elements of the Russian 242nd Motorized Rifle Regiment (20th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Division, 8th CAA, Southern Military District [SMD]) are reportedly operating near Kostyantynivka, and elements of the Russian 5th and 110th motorized rifle brigades (1st Donetsk People’s Republic [DNR] AC) are reportedly operating within Krasnohorivka.[31]

Positional fighting continued south of Velyka Novosilka, including near Urozhaine, in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area on July 26 and 27.[32] Elements of the Russian 40th Naval Infantry Brigade (Pacific Fleet) are reportedly operating in the south Donetsk direction and elements of the Russian 5th Tank Brigade (36th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Eastern Military District [EMD]) are reportedly operating in the Vremivka direction.[33]

Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis  (Russian objective: Maintain frontline positions and secure rear areas against Ukrainian strikes)

Fighting continued in western Zaporizhia Oblast on July 27 but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline. Fighting continued near Robotyne, east of Robotyne near Verbove, northeast of Robotyne near Mala Tokmachka, and northwest of Robotyne near Novoandriivka on July 26 and 27.[34] Ukrainian Tavriisk Group of Forces Spokesperson Captain Dmytro Lykhovyi stated on July 26 that Russian forces are conducting small infantry-led assaults on Ukrainian positions near Mala Tokmachka.[35] Lykhovyi also reiterated that Ukrainian forces have not observed Russian forces transferring reserves to Zaporizhia Oblast or concentrating forces for an offensive operation in the Zaporizhia direction. Elements of the Russian 64th Motorized Rifle Brigade (35th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Eastern Military District [EMD]) and "Valkyria" detachment (4th Military Base, 58th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Southern Military District [SMD]) drone operators are reportedly operating in the Zaporizhia direction.[36]

The Ukrainian General Staff reported on July 27 that Russian forces conducted one unsuccessful assault in an unspecified area in the Dnipro direction (Kherson Oblast).[37] A Russian milblogger claimed that the Russian military is struggling to supply newly created units operating in the Kherson direction with first-person view (FPV) drones and thermal imagers.[38] Elements of the Russian 25th Spetsnaz Regiment (Russian General Staff Main Directorate [GRU]) reportedly continue operating in the Kherson direction.[39]

Russian Air, Missile, and Drone Campaign  (Russian Objective: Target Ukrainian military and civilian infrastructure in the rear and on the frontline)

Russian forces launched limited missile and drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of July 26 to 27. Ukrainian Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk reported that Russian forces launched a Kh-59/69 cruise missile from occupied Zaporizhia Oblast and four Shahed-136/131 drones from Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Krasnodar Krai and that Ukrainian forces shot down the missile and drones over Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Kharkiv, and Kyiv oblasts.[40] Poltava Oblast Military Administration Head Filip Pronin stated that a Russian drone damaged an industrial facility in Poltava Oblast.[41]

Ukraine's Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) Spokesperson Andriy Chernyak told  Reuters  in a July 26 article that Russian forces have launched cheap drones made of Styrofoam and plywood in the last two-to-three weeks as a part of five long-range strike series.[42] Chernyak stated that two of these cheap Russian drones had cameras and SIM cards that transmitted data to Russian forces. Chernyak reported that Russian forces are attempting to locate Ukrainian mobile fire groups and air defense systems with these new drones.

Russian Mobilization and Force Generation Efforts  (Russian objective: Expand combat power without conducting general mobilization)

The Russian government continues efforts to use the "Time of Heroes" program to integrate Russian veterans into society. Kursk Oblast Acting Governor Alexei Smirnov nominated Russian servicemember Colonel Alexei Kondratyev to run for Kursk Oblast senator in the Russian Federation Council.[43] Kondratyev is the commander of the "St. Prince Vladimir" Brigade (Russian Volunteer Corps) and a participant in the "Time of Heroes" program. The Kremlin is reportedly concerned about the long-term social and political implications of Russian veterans returning from the war in Ukraine and trying to use the "Time of Heroes" program to provide a "buffer" between civilians and returning servicemembers.[44]

Ukrainian outlet  Suspilne  reported on July 27 that it viewed an internal Russian Investigative Committee resolution that found that commanders and deputy commanders of the Russian 6th Motorized Rifle Division (3rd Army Corps, Moscow Military District [MMD]) ordered Russian servicemembers to imprison, torture, and kill other servicemembers in Ukraine in 2023.[45]  Suspilne  reported that representatives of the Russian MoD inspected the division, after which the division's commanders and deputy commanders continued and tried to conceal these practices.

Russian Technological Adaptations  (Russian objective: Introduce technological innovations to optimize systems for use in Ukraine)

Nothing significant to report.

Ukrainian Defense Industrial Efforts  (Ukrainian objective: Develop its defense industrial base to become more self-sufficient in cooperation with US, European, and international partners)

ISW is not publishing coverage of Ukrainian defense industrial efforts today.

Activities in Russian-occupied areas  (Russian objective: Consolidate administrative control of annexed areas; forcibly integrate Ukrainian citizens into Russian sociocultural, economic, military, and governance systems)

ISW is not publishing coverage of Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine today.

Significant activity in Belarus  (Russian efforts to increase its military presence in Belarus and further integrate Belarus into Russian-favorable frameworks and Wagner Group activity in Belarus)

Note: ISW does not receive any classified material from any source, uses only publicly available information, and draws extensively on Russian, Ukrainian, and Western reporting and social media as well as commercially available satellite imagery and other geospatial data as the basis for these reports. References to all sources used are provided in the endnotes of each update.

[1] https://suspiln dot media/800159-droni-gur-atakuvali-npz-vijskovi-aerodromi-rf-i-poskodili-nadzvukovij-bombarduvalnik-dzerela/ ; https://armyinform.com dot ua/2024/07/27/chorni-dni-rosijskoyi-aviacziyi-detali-atak-na-obyekty-v-tylu-rf/

[2] https://t.me/mod_russia/41433 ; https://t.me/mod_russia/41436 ;https://t.me/mod_russia/41434 ; https://t.me/mod_russia/41436 ; https://t.me/tass_agency/262783 ; https://t.me/pavelmalkov_official/3137 ; https://t.me/breakingmash/56167 ; https://x.com/GirkinGirkin/status/1817089065742725188 ; https://x.com/99Dominik_/status/1817107072372068378

[3] https://suspilne dot media/800219-gur-urazilo-tri-vertoloti-na-teritorii-rosii-dzerela/ ; https://gur dot gov.ua/content/odyn-u-samari-dva-pid-moskvoiu-na-rosii-zghorilo-try-helikoptery.html

[4] https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/24/i-know-we-will-win-and-how-ukraines-top-general-on-turning-the-tables-against-russia

[5] https://en.mehrnews dot com/news/218238/Iran-s-Hod-Hod-Kosar-satellites-to-be-launched-into-LEO

[6] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-26/north-korea-s-economy-rebounds-as-kim-putin-ties-fuel-arms-trade

[7] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-30/north-korea-fires-missile-in-show-of-force-after-putin-visit; https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-26/north-korea-s-economy-rebounds-as-kim-putin-ties-fuel-arms-trade

[8] https://isw.pub/UkrWar062324; https://isw.pub/UkrWar080123 ; https://isw.pub/UkrWar081723; https://isw.pub/UkrWar110623

[9] https://t.me/URUKHAIFPV/63 ; https://x.com/Bielitzling/status/1816930805509488678 ; https://x.com/foosint/status/1817242724736618846 ; https://t.me/ZA_FROHT/31534

[10] https://t.me/dva_majors/48211

[11] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yvPBjBNjzEHLeveEJiQXQiWPULkPvezUverU7SFidSnC4oHEghZTBsx9YxdcwwLnl ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ArnUSUdYtS7rcNg919yGjAGDfSDPxSa911puUVnjGtzpbxFAQjQdrfdhwpfLGa6zl ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0umnyQhhEnth1kpoUyAn9ieqTG1UB6fCYRq3yKyWihop5piP5dtSD99LY659L3Atql ; https://t.me/otukharkiv/399 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/48211

[12] https://t.me/otukharkiv/399

[13] https://t.me/motopatriot/25469 ; https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/13113 ; https://t.me/RVvoenkor/73344

[14] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yvPBjBNjzEHLeveEJiQXQiWPULkPvezUverU7SFidSnC4oHEghZTBsx9YxdcwwLnl  ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ArnUSUdYtS7rcNg919yGjAGDfSDPxSa911puUVnjGtzpbxFAQjQdrfdhwpfLGa6zl; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0umnyQhhEnth1kpoUyAn9ieqTG1UB6fCYRq3yKyWihop5piP5dtSD99LY659L3Atql ; https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/13113 ;

[15] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yvPBjBNjzEHLeveEJiQXQiWPULkPvezUverU7SFidSnC4oHEghZTBsx9YxdcwwLnl ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ArnUSUdYtS7rcNg919yGjAGDfSDPxSa911puUVnjGtzpbxFAQjQdrfdhwpfLGa6zl ;   https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0umnyQhhEnth1kpoUyAn9ieqTG1UB6fCYRq3yKyWihop5piP5dtSD99LY659L3Atql

[16] https://t.me/rusich_army/16067

[17] https://t.me/sons_fatherland/15835 ; https://t.me/philologist_zov/1159

[18] https://t.me/dva_majors/48211 ; https://t.me/wargonzo/21227

[19] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yvPBjBNjzEHLeveEJiQXQiWPULkPvezUverU7SFidSnC4oHEghZTBsx9YxdcwwLnl ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ArnUSUdYtS7rcNg919yGjAGDfSDPxSa911puUVnjGtzpbxFAQjQdrfdhwpfLGa6zl ;   https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0umnyQhhEnth1kpoUyAn9ieqTG1UB6fCYRq3yKyWihop5piP5dtSD99LY659L3Atql

[20] https://t.me/operativnoZSU/152618; https://x.com/moklasen/status/1817240782958403609

[21] https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/13132 ; https://t.me/dva_majors/48211

[22] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yvPBjBNjzEHLeveEJiQXQiWPULkPvezUverU7SFidSnC4oHEghZTBsx9YxdcwwLnl ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ArnUSUdYtS7rcNg919yGjAGDfSDPxSa911puUVnjGtzpbxFAQjQdrfdhwpfLGa6zl ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0umnyQhhEnth1kpoUyAn9ieqTG1UB6fCYRq3yKyWihop5piP5dtSD99LY659L3Atql

[23] https://t.me/mod_russia/41442

[24] https://t.me/motopatriot/25462; https://t.me/z_arhiv/27405; https://t.me/NgP_raZVedka/18485

[25] https://t.me/z_arhiv/27405 ; https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/13113 ; https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/13133 ; https://t.me/RVvoenkor/73326

[26] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yvPBjBNjzEHLeveEJiQXQiWPULkPvezUverU7SFidSnC4oHEghZTBsx9YxdcwwLnl ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ArnUSUdYtS7rcNg919yGjAGDfSDPxSa911puUVnjGtzpbxFAQjQdrfdhwpfLGa6zl ;   https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0umnyQhhEnth1kpoUyAn9ieqTG1UB6fCYRq3yKyWihop5piP5dtSD99LY659L3Atql ; https://t.me/dva_majors/48211 ; https://t.me/wargonzo/21227 ; https://t.me/RVvoenkor/73326 ; https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/13138

[27] https://t.me/RVvoenkor/73363 

[28] https://t.me/creamy_caprice/6173; https://t.me/filatovcorr/3622 ; https://x.com/Bielitzling/status/1817171227976343884; https://t.me/z_arhiv/27409; https://t.me/motopatriot/25458; https://t.me/z_arhiv/27407   

[29] https://x.com/Ukraine_Twi/status/1817165586297757910; https://x.com/klinger66/status/1817179436954914849; https://t.me/opforukraine/18; https://t.me/opforukraine/18

[30] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yvPBjBNjzEHLeveEJiQXQiWPULkPvezUverU7SFidSnC4oHEghZTBsx9YxdcwwLnl ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ArnUSUdYtS7rcNg919yGjAGDfSDPxSa911puUVnjGtzpbxFAQjQdrfdhwpfLGa6zl ;   https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0umnyQhhEnth1kpoUyAn9ieqTG1UB6fCYRq3yKyWihop5piP5dtSD99LY659L3Atql ; https://t.me/dva_majors/48211 ; https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/13113 ; https://t.me/motopatriot/25458 ;

[31] https://t.me/RVvoenkor/73353 ; https://t.me/RVvoenkor/73325

[32] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0umnyQhhEnth1kpoUyAn9ieqTG1UB6fCYRq3yKyWihop5piP5dtSD99LY659L3Atql ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02ArnUSUdYtS7rcNg919yGjAGDfSDPxSa911puUVnjGtzpbxFAQjQdrfdhwpfLGa6zl

[33] https://t.me/milinfolive/126894 (south Donetsk); https://t.me/voin_dv/9959 (Vremivka)

[34] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yvPBjBNjzEHLeveEJiQXQiWPULkPvezUverU7SFidSnC4oHEghZTBsx9YxdcwwLnl ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0umnyQhhEnth1kpoUyAn9ieqTG1UB6fCYRq3yKyWihop5piP5dtSD99LY659L3Atql ; https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0umnyQhhEnth1kpoUyAn9ieqTG1UB6fCYRq3yKyWihop5piP5dtSD99LY659L3Atql ; https://t.me/wargonzo/21227 ; https://t.me/DnevnikDesantnika/13136

[35] https://armyinform.com dot ua/2024/07/26/v-sylah-oborony-rozpovily-pro-taktyku-malyh-ukusiv-rf-na-pivdni/

[36] https://t.me/voin_dv/9957 ; https://t.me/RVvoenkor/73371

[37] https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid0yvPBjBNjzEHLeveEJiQXQiWPULkPvezUverU7SFidSnC4oHEghZTBsx9YxdcwwLnl

[38] https://t.me/dva_majors/48211

[39] https://t.me/dva_majors/48206

[40] https://t.me/ComAFUA/358

[41] https://t.me/poltavskaOVA/16340

[42] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-deploys-cheap-drones-locate-ukraines-air-defences-2024-07-26/

[43] https://t.me/rusich_army/16057 ; https://kpravda dot ru/2024/07/24/senatorom-ot-kurskoj-oblasti-mozhet-stat-byvshij-specznazovecz/ ; https://riakursk dot ru/stali-izvestny-imena-vozmozhnykh-senatorov-ot-kurskoy-oblasti/

[44] https://isw.pub/UkrWar071924

[45] https://suspilne dot media/800213-to-blow-shoot-burn-russians-kill-fellow-servicemen-front-ukraine/