The Dobropillia counteroffensive is very challenging, yet timely and successful, as it has thwarted Russia’s summer offensive campaign. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this while speaking with journalists.
According to the Head of State, since the start of the operation on August 21, Russia has lost 12,000 troops, including 7,000 killed.
“The most important point is that this operation of ours has disrupted all the plans that the Russians communicated to the American side, claiming they would supposedly occupy the Donbas – most of it – specifically by November. Initially, they said September, then pushed the deadline to November. This operation undoubtedly affects the defense of Pokrovsk. Understanding the heavy losses they suffered in Dobropillia, the Russians are now tasked with urgently taking Pokrovsk – at any cost,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The Head of State also shared that, in the Kupiansk direction, the Special Operations Forces, Center of Special Operations "A” of the Security Service of Ukraine, and assault units are carrying out counter-sabotage measures. In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian troops have held back Russian forces in recent days and are regaining lost positions.
At the same time, the President emphasized that the situation remains intense in the Novopavlivka direction, where Russia has concentrated four of its armies. Ukrainian defenders have completely cleared four villages of the occupiers, and fighting continues for the remaining four.