President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a social media post that Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi briefed him on the current frontline situation. According to Zelenskiy, Ukrainian troops have achieved gains for the second day in a row on some of the most difficult sectors in the Donetsk region, particularly near Dobropillia and Pokrovsk.
He highlighted the role of units from the National Guard’s “Azov” brigade, the 7th Air Assault Corps, the 38th Marine Brigade named after Hetman Petro Sahaidachny, and the 93rd Mechanized Brigade “Kholodnyi Yar.” Zelenskiy noted that Ukrainian forces continue to destroy Russian troops attempting to push deeper into Ukrainian positions, while also capturing Russian soldiers to replenish the prisoner exchange pool.
Syrskyi also reported on operations in the Sumy, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions. Zelenskiy warned that Russia may intensify pressure in the coming days in an effort to gain leverage for international talks, but stressed that Ukraine is ready to respond, including with asymmetric measures.
Based on the political and diplomatic situation surrounding Ukraine and knowing Russia’s duplicity, we anticipate that the Russian army may attempt to intensify pressure and strikes against Ukrainian positions in the coming days in order to create more favourable political conditions for talks with global actors. We are monitoring the movements and preparations of Russian troops. Of course, we will counteract them – asymmetrically, if necessary. I have asked the Commander-in-Chief to talk to the combat commanders. Ukraine needs strong positions and truly effective countermeasures against the enemy.
The president thanked soldiers, sergeants, and officers for their resilience and combat performance, emphasizing the importance of holding strong positions and effectively countering Russian aggression.