 Ukrainian attacks on Russian rear-worsen occupiers morale at front, ISW. The Institute for the Study of War has said Ukrainian strikes on the Russian rear areas are worsening Russian troops' morale, creating a probable threat to the stability of the Russian occupiers' defense in many critical areas of the combat zone. Russian front-line units, particularly in southern Ukraine, have frequently struggled with degraded morale following Ukrainian strikes on rear areas. Morale issues can quickly intensify and spread among Russian front-line units if one unit, under pressure breaks, which could spread panic and significantly reduce the combat effectiveness of other Russian forces, ISW said. The ISW reported that Russian mill-bloggers have criticized the Russian Defense Ministry for not taking actions to prevent a drone attack on the Salty airfield in Novgorod Oblast conducted on August 19 and downplaying the severity of damage to the aircraft that were deployed there.