CaliToday (23/9/2025): The Ukrainian military has achieved a significant breakthrough in its "Dobropillya" counteroffensive, recapturing approximately 160 square kilometers (about 62 square miles) of territory and capturing nearly 100 Russian soldiers in the eastern Donetsk region, according to top Ukrainian officials.
The successful operation, detailed on Friday, September 19, 2025, not only expands Kyiv's control over a strategically vital area but also deals a substantial blow to Russian forces, who have reportedly suffered heavy losses in men and materiel.
In a national address, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the advance, stating that Ukrainian armed forces have fully retaken nine towns in the Dobropillya and Pokrovsk areas, while clearing an additional nine villages of Russian military presence. He praised the troops for their bravery, emphasizing that the campaign is progressing "step by step, with confidence."
"Our soldiers are moving forward," Zelenskyy said. "Many have been awarded for their combat achievements. This success is a testament to their strength and resilience."
The Commander's Battlefield Assessment
Providing a detailed breakdown of the operation, Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, outlined the severe losses inflicted upon Russian forces on the Pokrovsk front in recent weeks.
According to Syrskyi, Russia has had more than 2,450 soldiers "put out of action," a figure that includes both killed and wounded. Of those, approximately 1,300 were killed. Furthermore, Ukrainian forces captured nearly 100 Russian soldiers as prisoners of war.
The material losses for the Russian army have also been extensive. Ukraine's military reports destroying or capturing 817 units of enemy weapons and equipment, including:
12 Tanks
37 Armored Fighting Vehicles
162 Artillery Systems
Approximately 160 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
The Strategic Importance of Dobropillya
The Dobropillya campaign is taking place in a region of critical strategic importance in eastern Ukraine. The area is located near key Russian supply routes that are essential for sustaining their military operations deeper within the Donetsk region.
Kyiv officials assess that this success achieves two primary goals: it physically expands the territory under Ukrainian control and, just as importantly, it forces Russia to divert and spread its forces to defend against further advances. This stretches Russian resources and creates potential vulnerabilities in other sectors of the front.
However, military experts offer a note of caution. They warn that "liberating" or "clearing" territory does not yet equate to stable, long-term control. Ukrainian forces must now work to consolidate their gains, establish fortified defensive lines, and prepare for the inevitable Russian counter-attacks aimed at reclaiming the lost ground.
Nevertheless, this operation is being hailed as one of Ukraine's most significant successes in the Donetsk region in many months. It provides a crucial morale boost for both the military and the nation, and it strengthens Kyiv's case as it continues to appeal to its Western partners for sustained and increased military support to press its advantage.
Information for this report was compiled from Ukrainian news agencies including Ukrinform, Interfax-Ukraine, TCH, and Novynarnia.
