Zelensky, Ukraine's military chief say Russia's 2025 offensives have failed

Moscow's campaign disrupted; its troops suffering heavy losses, they add

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Ukrainian army recruits at a military drill in the Zaporizhzhia region on Sept 26. Russia's gains have been incremental after the large-scale deployment of drones by Kyiv prevented quick progress of the sort seen in 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS

(REUTERS)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his top military commander said on Sept 26 that Russian offensives had failed to meet their goals and Moscow was suffering heavy losses on the battlefield.

Mr Zelensky, speaking in his nightly video address, said Ukrainian forces had inflicted heavy casualties on Russian troops in a counteroffensive near Dobropillia in eastern Donetsk region.

Top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi told reporters that “the Russians’ spring and summer campaign has effectively been disrupted”.

Russia has been making incremental gains across several parts of the front line, after large-scale deployment of reconnaissance and attack drones prevented quick progress of the sort seen in 2022.