Ukraine Reports New Gains in Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk Counteroffensive

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced that Kyiv’s forces have achieved fresh territorial gains in the southern Zaporizhzhia region and Donetsk, a key battleground in the ongoing war. In his nightly address, Zelenskiy stated that Ukrainian troops had advanced more than 3 kilometers south in Zaporizhzhia, while continuing counteroffensive operations near the town of Dobropillia in Donetsk.

According to the president, Ukrainian units are pushing forward in several sectors, including near Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia. The 24th Separate Assault Battalion confirmed on Telegram that, alongside another unit, it had taken control of the village of Mali Shcherbaky — strategically positioned between Orikhiv and the Dnipro River.

Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry did not acknowledge any Ukrainian gains, but claimed its forces had targeted Ukrainian troops and equipment in Zaporizhzhia, including in Novoandriivka, close to Mali Shcherbaky and Orikhiv. The governor of Zaporizhzhia reported that Russian shelling near Orikhiv killed one man and wounded three others. In the neighboring Dnipropetrovsk region, two civilians were killed during a Russian attack near the city of Dnipro.

Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield developments from either side. Both Ukraine and Russia have released conflicting reports about the front-line situation, which stretches roughly 1,250 kilometers, according to Ukraine’s top commander.

Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed last week that Russian forces have captured around 5,000 square kilometers of territory this year and hold a strategic advantage across all fronts. However, Zelenskiy countered by asserting that Ukrainian troops are inflicting heavy losses on Russian units near Dobropillia and continue to defend other directions effectively.