Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The battle in the East rages on, but there are signs of a shift in momentum.
The battle in the East rages on, but there are signs of a shift in momentum.
What is happening?
Several Russian military units have been encircled near Dobropillia in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, according to a statement from General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Pushing Russian troops back from key highway
Over the past month, Ukrainian troops have rolled back Russian advances of up to 20 kilometers near the strategic Dobropillia–Kramatorsk highway.
This area, close to the city of Pokrovsk, has become a focal point of intense fighting in the Donbas region.
Villages reclaimed in ongoing counteroffensive
Since late August, Ukrainian forces have reclaimed several villages in the region, including Zarichne, Novoekonomichne, and Udachne.
175 square kilometers liberated
General Syrskyi reported that Ukrainian troops have regained control over 175 square kilometers of territory.
In a separate area, an additional 195 square kilometers have been cleared of Russian sabotage groups, further disrupting enemy operations.
Heavy Russian losses reported
In the battle for Dobropillia, Russia has sustained severe losses, according to Ukrainian figures.
Of the 3,185 Russian casualties reported, 1,769 were killed.
Ukrainian forces also claim to have destroyed or captured 969 units of Russian military hardware.
Leverages strategic defensive positions
Ukrainian forces have maintained a defensive stance along the eastern front for nearly two years.
However, recent months have seen a noticeable shift, with Ukraine launching increasingly frequent and effective counteroffensive operations.
Russia keeps up pressure
Despite Ukrainian gains, Russian forces have not relented.
Throughout the summer, Moscow maintained a high tempo of offensive activity across the entire front, attempting to stretch and overwhelm Ukrainian defenses.
Russian territorial gains in 2025 outpace 2024
According to the Ukrainian military-affiliated blog Deep State, Russian forces captured 1,548 square kilometers during the summer of 2025.
This figure more than doubles the 659 square kilometers seized over the same period in 2024, underscoring the intensity of this year’s clashes.
Strategic momentum shift
While Russia continues its aggressive campaign, Ukraine’s recent battlefield successes — including encircling enemy units and regaining ground — may indicate a turning point.
The situation remains fluid, but Kyiv’s forces are showing increased operational confidence.
This article is made and published by Jens Asbjørn Bogen, which may have used AI in the preparation
