The Ukrainian army has launched the counter -offensive on the eastern front, Zelenski announces. How much territory has recaptured, in two of the hottest fighting sectors
Zaporojie, Ukraine, December 12, 2024. Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski, left, and brigadier general Hennadi Shapovalov, during a visit to the Petro Kalnyshevskyi Division 27 of the Artillery-Racquets that fight on the front line. Photo source: Ukraine Presidents Office / Alamy / Alamy / Profimedia
Ukrainian troops have triggered a counter -offensive against Russian forces on the Eastern Front, where Kiev regained seven settlements, President Volodimir Zelenski said on Thursday after visiting the Donetk region, Reuters and The Kyiv Independent reports.
“In fact, our forces deprived the occupant of the possibility to carry out a large-scale offensive operation, which (Russians) have long planned and they were counting,” he said, in a video speech.
The Ukrainian forces regained 160 square kilometers (62 square miles) since the beginning of the operation, the Ukrainian leader also said, adding that over 170 square kilometers and nine other localities were “released by occupants”.
The Kiev leader did not specify when the operation began. He described the ongoing struggles as intense in the area of Dobropillia, an area that experienced rapid advances of Russians in mid-August, and around the Pokrovsk strategic hub.
Seven settlements were regained in the front sectors of Dobropillia and Pokrovsk during the operation, Zelenski said, citing a report by the head of the Ukrainian army, General Oleksandr Sîrskîi.
The Reuters Agency mentions that he could not verify the current situation on the battlefield, described by Zelenski, in the war that has been running for more than three and a half years.
The Ukrainian troops also took prisoners, almost 100 Russian soldiers, according to the Ukrainian president, who mentioned the operation in Donetk and in a post on his page on the social network X.
“Ukraine legitimately defends its positions and territory,” Zelenski wrote in this message. “We threw all Russia's plans – the plans to destroy our state,” he said.
Zelenski's full message published on X
“Donetk region. I met our soldiers who participate in the counter-offensive from Dobropillia. I talked to the defenders, thanked them for their achievements and we handed them state distinctions. I also received a report from the Supreme Commander Oleksandr Sîrskîi about the progress of the operation, the general situation on the front and future plans.
Step by step, the soldiers release our territory: from the beginning of the operation, 160 square kilometers and seven settlements have been recovered, and nine settlements and over 170 square kilometers have been released from the hands of the occupants. Almost one hundred invaders have been taken prisoners, and only in recent weeks, the Russians have suffered thousands of losses, both injured and dead.
I thank our warriors for their resistance. You are a real example for Ukraine's armed forces and for all the warriors of our defense forces. I am grateful for your courage“.
Donetsk Region. I Met with Our Warring Taking part in the Dobropillia Counteroffensive. I spoke with the Defenders, Thanked Them for their achievements, and Presenteed Them With State Awards. I Also Received reported from Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi on the Progress of… pic.twitter.com/qgnh0goldr
– Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир зеленський (@zezekyyua) September 18, 2025
Donetsk, the epicenter of battles
The eastern region Donetk, which is only partially occupied by the Russian army, but Moscow wants Ukraine to abandon before any kind of peace agreement, remains the epicenter of the most intense struggles.
On Thursday, a Russian guided bombsheet killed five civilians in Kostiantynivka, a city about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Dobropillia.
The Russian forces approached 8 kilometers from the city, which served for a long time as a crucial logistics center for Ukrainian troops defending a portion of the front line.
The Russians attacked the railway infrastructure of the center of Ukraine
The Russian forces attacked the railway infrastructure and injured five people in the Poltava region in the center of Ukraine, Ukrainian officials announced on Thursday, Reuters and Agerpres have previously reported.
In the Mîrhorod District, an attack injured a person and caused fires, said the regional governor Volodimir Kohut, on the Telegram Messenger application.
The Ukrainian state -of -state rail operator said that the attack temporarily interrupted the electric current in several stations and caused up to three hours for passenger trains.
In recent months, Russian forces have strongly attacked the Ukrainian railway infrastructure, including by blows on railway nodes in Kharkov and Donetsk regions, as well as disturbances in the Kirovohrad region.
An attack with drones, made late in the evening in the Poltava region, also damaged a fuel power station, causing a fire and hurting four others, according to emergency services.
The Ukrainian air forces said that they had shot down 48 of the 75 drones launched by Russia and reported 26 drone strokes in six places.
