President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced in his latest video address that Ukrainian forces have successfully reduced the potential of Russian troops to launch attacks in the Donetsk region on the eastern front of the ongoing conflict that has lasted over 2 1/2 years. Zelenskiy spoke after consulting with commanders and expressed pride in the military's efforts to strengthen the battle brigades' resilience amid the challenging situation. He highlighted the Ukrainian Defence Forces' accomplishment in diminishing the occupiers' potential for assault in Donetsk region.

Despite the progress, Zelenskiy emphasized that the situation remains critically difficult, with intense battles occurring daily in the areas near the cities of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove, which have been the primary targets of frequent Russian attacks. A strategic operation conducted by Ukraine in southern Russia's Kursk region last month successfully diverted Russian military resources away from the eastern front, bolstering Ukraine's position.

The capture of Russian troops during the operation not only weakened the enemy's forces but also added to Ukraine's "exchange fund" of prisoners of war. Zelenskiy mentioned that nearly 40,000 Russian troops were diverted due to the active measures taken by Ukraine, impacting the ongoing conflict dynamics. The president also lamented a tragic incident in Ukraine's northern Sumy region, where a Russian attack on an elderly people's residence resulted in one fatality, underscoring the continued threats faced in various regions due to frequent assaults by Russian forces.