Susanna Riva Over the past month, the Russian military leadership has claimed to have gained control of over 1.800 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory and nearly 100 settlements . Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov reported to President Vladimir Putin that they had captured 92 villages since September 1, including the eastern town of Dobropillia.
These claims were promptly rejected by Ukraine, which called such data a mere “illusion”.
Ukrainian General Staff spokesman Andriy Kovaliov emphasized that since early autumn, Kiev's armed forces have liberated more territory than Russia claims to have gained. According to him, the Ukrainian defense's active operations have shifted the front in Ukraine's favor, thus weakening Russia's narrative of significant victories for its own government and domestic audiences.
Russian statements on the Donetsk front
Gerasimov presented the results as a decisive step toward control of the entire Donetsk region, citing the progressive advance toward the cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk , which the Kremlin calls the "fortified belt." The conquest of these locations, according to Russian strategy, would pave the way for the absorption of eastern Ukraine's most important industrial area.
Furthermore, the Chief of the General Staff claimed that Russian troops had already reached the outskirts of Kramatorsk and were on the march to the suburbs of Sloviansk.
Fortified cities: Sloviansk and Kramatorsk
The two towns, located a few kilometers north of Dobropillia, represent key objectives for the continuation of the Russian offensive. Their control would allow Moscow to consolidate its defense line along the Donets River and gain a logistical advantage over the entire region. However, the reality on the ground remains uncertain: Ukrainian forces have already repelled numerous assaults and are maintaining defenses on the outer lines, making claims of an approach to Kramatorsk difficult to verify.
The Ukrainian response: liberations greater than Russian losses
Kovaliov categorically denied Gerasimov's claims regarding the situation in Dobropillia, reiterating that the town remains under full Ukrainian control despite continued Russian attacks . Ukraine also highlighted its offensive actions: in recent months, Kiev forces have launched numerous long-range drone strikes against Russian refineries, ships, and commercial infrastructure, reducing Russia's ability to sustain large-scale operations.
At the same time, the air campaign on both sides intensified. Russia deployed hundreds of ballistic missiles during the summer and early fall, with the stated goal of hitting critical infrastructure such as heating systems and power plants, aiming to create problems for the civilian population during the winter. Ukraine, despite having a more limited missile arsenal, countered with a large number of armed drones, demonstrating its ability to respond quickly and effectively.