CaliToday (23/9/2025): Ukrainian forces are on the offensive, storming towards the strategic town of Dobropillya in the Donetsk region after liberating a significant swath of territory, according to Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrsky. The determined push has resulted in substantial territorial gains and inflicted heavy casualties on Russian occupying forces.
In a detailed operational update released early on Monday, September 22, 2025, General Syrsky outlined a series of successful tactical actions by Ukraine's assault units in the Pokrovsk district.
"Over the past 24 hours alone, control has been regained over 1.3 square kilometers," Syrsky stated. "The enemy has been cleared and eliminated from an additional 2.1 square kilometers of our land."
The report highlights the dynamic nature of the offensive, noting that in several directions, Ukrainian units have advanced between 200 meters and 2.5 kilometers, breaking through Russian defensive lines and pressing the advantage.
Significant Gains in a Key Sector
The ongoing operation has yielded considerable results. As of midnight on September 22, the total area liberated by Ukrainian forces in this offensive push has reached 164.5 square kilometers (approximately 63.5 square miles).
Furthermore, an even larger area of 180.8 square kilometers (nearly 70 square miles) has been cleared of Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups (SRGs), securing the rear and stabilizing the flanks of the main advance.
This success is further underscored by the liberation of populated areas. According to the Commander-in-Chief's report:
Full Ukrainian control has been re-established over seven settlements.
An additional nine settlements have been cleared of enemy SRGs, allowing for stabilization operations to begin.
Heavy Russian Losses and a Growing "Exchange Fund"
The offensive has come at a great cost to the Russian occupying forces. Total Russian casualties in the Dobropillya sector have reached an estimated 2,696 personnel.
Of those, 1,492 are confirmed killed in action. The remainder represent wounded soldiers.
General Syrsky also made a pointed reference to the capture of Russian soldiers, stating that the "exchange fund is being continuously replenished." This term is used by the Ukrainian military to refer to prisoners of war who can be used in future exchanges for captured Ukrainian service members.
The strategic push towards Dobropillya, a key logistical and transport hub, represents a significant operational objective for Ukraine. A successful advance in this area could disrupt Russian supply lines and create opportunities for further liberation efforts in the occupied Donetsk region. The reported gains, achieved through intense combat, underscore the continued momentum of Ukrainian forces in this critical sector of the front.
