Ukrainian forces have reclaimed 160 square kilometers of territory in an ongoing counteroffensive in eastern Donetsk Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced. After weeks of intense fighting, Kyiv’s troops pushed Russian forces back by about six miles toward the strategic Dobropillia–Kramatorsk highway near Pokrovsk.
Since late August, Ukrainian forces have regained control of several villages in the region. Zelensky said his troops recaptured seven settlements in the Dobropillia and Pokrovsk areas, citing a report from Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi.
“Ukraine is rightfully defending its positions and its land,” Zelensky declared. “We are disrupting all of Russia’s plans – plans to destroy our state.”
Our counteroffensive operation in the Donetsk Region—Pokrovsk and Dobropillia sectors—continues. It was one of the most important axes for the Russians, but they failed to mount a full-scale offensive here. Our army is destroying their forces—inflicting heavy losses, taking POWs. pic.twitter.com/JPbdWhQMNj
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 19, 2025
Heavy Russian Losses Reported As Ukraine, Poland Launch Joint Drone Task Force
According to Zelensky, Russian forces have suffered significant casualties during the Ukrainian push.
“Russian losses since the start of our counteroffensive just in the Pokrovsk direction, over the past few weeks, exceed 2,500. Of those, over 1,300 Russian soldiers have been killed,” he said. Ukrainian operations in Donetsk Oblast remain ongoing, he added, as reported by Express US.
Ukraine and Poland are strengthening defense cooperation. Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on September 18 the creation of a new joint task force focused on unmanned systems, following an agreement between Kyiv and Warsaw, according to Interfax.
Russian Drone Attack On Poland
This announcement came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin escalated the three-year conflict by launching an unprecedented drone attack into Polish airspace on September 10. Polish forces were compelled to destroy one of the 21 Russian drones that crossed into their territory, marking the first time a NATO member neutralized Russian artillery over its own airspace.
Shmyhal said the new Ukrainian-Polish task force would prioritize joint initiatives such as advanced training programs and technological cooperation. “We will integrate the latest protection technologies and launch new projects aimed at strengthening the protection of our people and our critical infrastructure,” he stated.
Polish officials confirmed that the defense ministries of both nations will sign a formal cooperation agreement to enhance drone operations. “The talks will focus on the development of joint industry initiatives. I think that Poles are eagerly awaiting this, after the enormous effort we have made to help the population,” the Polish minister added.
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Zubair Amin is a Senior Journalist at NewsX with over seven years of experience in reporting and editorial work. He has written for leading national and international publications, including Foreign Policy Magazine, Al Jazeera, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, The Wire, Article 14, Mongabay, News9, among others. His primary focus is on international affairs, with a strong interest in US politics and policy. He also writes on West Asia, Indian polity, and constitutional issues. Zubair tweets at zubaiyr.amin
