In the area of Dobropillya and Pokrovsk, where the Ukrainian counteroffensive is underway, the Armed Forces are doing everything to destroy the enemy and prevent them from encircling the defenders. As of September 19, the Defence Forces maintained control over approximately 330 kilometers.
They liberated 160 kilometers and cleared 170.
This was reported by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy yesterday during a meeting with journalists.
"We understand that they are now going to deploy personnel there to maintain their positions. They have been constantly adding there because it was their main offensive - the Dobropillya and Pokrovsk directions. And now they have brought in the 61st Marine Brigade, realizing they are losing a large number of their troops," the president commented on the counteroffensive operation.
Zelenskyy added that conclusions about it can be made later, but so far he assesses the counteroffensive as successful.
In the Kupyansk direction, according to the president, intense actions are ongoing. Strong Ukrainian units are operating there, destroying the Russians.
"Within the city, counter-sabotage measures are taking place, our units are engaged in clearing operations. We believe the Russians will be destroyed there," he commented.
In the Sumy direction, the Defence Forces are conducting active operations and achieving results.
"In the Zaporizhzhya direction – as we mentioned. We considered the two main Russian offensives to be Dobropillya-Pokrovsk and Zaporizhzhya. But since they lack forces, they are moving everything to Pokrovsk, Dobropillya, to showcase success," he said.
According to Zelenskyy, the Russian command is receiving false reports of successes.
"Where we have restored positions, the ’Russians’ have everything the opposite on their maps. What does this say? That the report from the middle level to the top in the ’Russians’ differs from the real situation. I think that’s not bad. In the informational field, there was always this provocation about where they are in Donbas, claiming they would finally capture Pokrovsk in 30 days and definitely capture the east by November. But this differs from reality, and thank God," he added.