Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
Additionally, the Russian army has allegedly suffered thousands of losses during the last few weeks.
Additionally, the Russian army has allegedly suffered thousands of losses during the last few weeks.
What is happening?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that a fresh counteroffensive is underway in eastern Ukraine.
In a video address following his visit to Donetsk, Zelensky announced that Ukrainian troops had retaken seven settlements from Russian control.
The offensive, he said, had disrupted a major Russian operation that had been “planned for a long time.”
160 square kilometers reclaimed — and counting
Since the launch of the operation, Ukrainian forces have recaptured 160 square kilometers (62 square miles), according to Zelensky.
He claimed that a total of over 170 square kilometers and nine settlements have now been “liberated from the occupiers,” though the timeline of these gains remains unclear.
Fierce fighting in Dobropillia and Pokrovsk
The fiercest battles are currently taking place near Dobropillia and Pokrovsk, two key areas in the Donetsk region.
Dobropillia saw rapid Russian advances in August, while Pokrovsk has long been a strategic hub.
Ukrainian troops reportedly made their latest gains in these sectors.
Captured soldiers and heavy Russian losses
Nearly 100 Russian soldiers have been taken prisoner in the ongoing operation, Zelensky said.
He also claimed that Russian forces have suffered thousands of casualties in recent weeks — including both wounded and dead — although these figures have not been independently verified.
Zelensky visits the front lines
During his trip to Donetsk, Zelensky met with troops involved in the counteroffensive.
He thanked them personally for their service, presented state awards, and received an operational update from Ukraine’s Supreme Commander-in-Chief, General Oleksandr Sirsky.
“Step by step, our soldiers are liberating our land,” Zelensky said.
Donetsk remains the epicenter of conflict
The Donetsk region, still partly occupied by Russia, remains the most active front in the war.
Moscow has insisted that Ukraine must abandon the region as a condition for any peace deal — a demand Kyiv continues to reject outright.
Russian bomb kills five civilians near Frontline
A Russian guided bomb strike on Thursday killed five civilians in Kostiantynivka, just 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Dobropillia.
Russian troops have now pushed to within 8 kilometers of the town, threatening a vital supply route for Ukrainian forces.
Russian airstrikes target Central Ukraine
Elsewhere, Russian forces struck railway infrastructure in the Poltava region of central Ukraine, injuring five people.
The attacks triggered fires and temporarily cut power to several rail stations, delaying passenger trains by up to three hours.
Drone attacks add to civilian toll
A late-night drone strike in Poltava damaged a fuel station and injured four civilians. Emergency services reported a significant fire at the scene.
The Ukrainian Air Force said it had downed 48 of 75 drones launched by Russia that night, as drone warfare continues to escalate.
Ukraine holds the line amid growing pressure
Despite sustained Russian attacks, Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine’s resolve to defend its territory.
“Ukraine is legitimately defending its positions and territory,” he said. “We are thwarting all of Russia’s plans — plans to destroy our state.”
This article is made and published by Jens Asbjørn Bogen, which may have used AI in the preparation
