Counterattack in Donetsk_ Up to 100 Russians captured, 160 sq km of land liberated – Zelenskiy

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thrursday said that Ukrainian forces have liberated 160 square kilometres of lands in a counteroffensive in eastern Donetsk region. “Since the beginning of the operation, our forces have already liberated 160 square kilometers, and over 170 more square kilometers have been cleared of the occupiers. Any group of occupiers trying to enter the area is being destroyed,” Zelenskiy said on September 18. The counteroffensive has been carried out in Pokrovsk and Dobropillia direction of Donetsk region. Moreover, Ukrainian troops have captured nearly 100 Russian prisoners, liberated seven settlements and cleared nine more settlements of Russian presence so far, Zeleskiy revealed. He said Russia has lost more than 2,500 troops over the past few weeks in Pokrovsk direction and 1,300 of these soldiers have been killed, adding that the counterattack continues in Donetsk. “Ukraine is fully and justly defending its positions, its land. This is a heroic defense. I am proud of our warriors, proud of our people,” Zelenskiy stressed. Furthermore, the Ukrainian leader resumed his call for more military assistance from Kyiv’s western partners and urged the strengthening of sanctions in order to pressure Russia to reach a peace deal to end the war. His statement comes amid increased counterattacks by Ukrainian troops that have been mainly in defensive position along the frontline in east of Ukraine in the past two years. In early September, Ukrainian troops captured the village of Zarichne in Donetsk region and cleared two more villages – Novoekonomichne and Udachne – in embattled Pokrovsk in the same region. Zelenskiy this week warned that Russia was preparing for two major counteroffensive operations for the autumn.