Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy provided an update on the battlefield situation on August 20, emphasizing that Ukrainian troops had successfully eliminated the majority of Russian forces attempting to break through in the Pokrovsk sector.
According to Zelenskyy, nearly 90%—and in some areas almost all—of the Russian units that managed to push into Ukrainian positions were destroyed. “In Pokrovsk, where the enemy tried to advance, our soldiers have almost completely neutralized the Russian troops involved,” he said during a press briefing.
Donetsk and Luhansk Fronts
The President noted that fighting continues in Donetsk and Luhansk, though conditions remain stable overall.In Donetsk, Ukraine’s 54th Brigade is actively working to reclaim territory, while in Luhansk, President Zelenskyy highlighted encouraging progress made by Ukrainian forces.
Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv Regions
Zelenskyy also pointed to Russian troop movements in the Zaporizhzhia direction. He confirmed that Moscow is redeploying forces from the Kursk region toward Zaporizhzhia but stressed that Ukrainian defenses in the area remain intact.
Meanwhile, the situation in Kharkiv remains unchanged. “Everything is stable there,” Zelenskyy assured.
Kupiansk, Sumy, and Kursk Updates
In the Kupiansk sector, Ukrainian forces are conducting counter-sabotage operations after Russian groups attempted infiltration in the north. In Sumy, Zelenskyy stated there are currently no signs of an enemy advance.
Addressing the Kursk region, he explained that Ukraine’s presence there is tying down tens of thousands of Russian troops, preventing their redeployment to more active fronts like Donetsk.
Recent Loss Reports
Earlier this month, Zelenskyy revealed that the current casualty ratio on the front lines favors Ukraine by approximately one to three. According to British intelligence, Russian troop casualties in July 2025 dropped to their lowest point since April 2024.
