Zelenskyy: Ukrainian Counteroffensive Advances in Donetsk, Russian Losses Mount
Kyiv, September 20, 2025 — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the country’s armed forces are advancing in the Donetsk region, particularly in the Pokrovsk and Dobropillia sectors, where intense battles continue. He emphasized that these areas, once seen as strategically vital for Russia, have become positions where Moscow’s forces are struggling to sustain an offensive.
According to Zelenskyy, Russian troops have been unable to launch a full-scale operation in this direction and are instead facing mounting losses. Ukrainian commanders report that enemy units have suffered heavy casualties, with dozens of soldiers captured as prisoners of war. These detentions, he added, would contribute to future exchange efforts, strengthening Ukraine’s leverage in negotiations.
The Ukrainian military claims to have made meaningful territorial gains, pushing Russian forces back by several kilometers and liberating a number of settlements. In addition, areas once dominated by irregular Russian units are being cleared, restoring Ukrainian control.
For Kyiv, the Pokrovsk–Dobropillia front holds wider significance. Russian planners had previously marked this axis as a potential springboard for deeper advances into Donetsk. By disrupting those plans, Ukraine believes it has weakened Moscow’s ability to sustain pressure in the east. Military officials say this momentum not only blunts Russia’s advances but also boosts morale among Ukrainian troops.
While independent verification remains limited, reports from Ukraine describe steady progress. NATO and European partners have taken note of the developments, viewing them as evidence of Ukraine’s capacity to resist and counter Moscow’s long-running campaign.
Zelenskyy stressed that operations in Donetsk remain ongoing and will continue until Russian forces are decisively pushed back. “Our army is destroying their forces—inflicting heavy losses, taking POWs,” he said, framing the counteroffensive as both a defensive necessity and a strategic opportunity.
