Gerasimov claims Dobropillia captured, but Kyiv does not confirm

Statements from Russian command

Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, released information stating that Russian troops had taken control of two settlements in Donetsk region. According to him, Dobropillia and Oleksiivka-Druzhkivka fell under occupation.

Commenting on these events, Russian President Vladimir Putin called the capture of Dobropillia a significant event. He claimed that this opens the way to the border of the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic”.

Strategic goals and situation assessment

Putin also emphasised that the full capture of the territory of Donetsk region within the previously formulated Russian claims remains one of the key tasks for the Russian army. Meanwhile, according to Russian leadership data, Kyiv currently controls only about 10% of Donetsk region and 16.5% of Zaporizhzhia region.

Ukraine’s position

The Ukrainian side did not confirm the information provided by Russian officials. An analysis of map data published by Ukrainian military channels indicates that Dobropillia and Oleksiivka-Druzhkivka are still not under the control of Russian armed forces.