UKRAINE, DONETSK OBLAST, Sep. 8 — Ukrainian forces have reportedly launched a counteroffensive in the Lyman direction in the northern Donetsk oblast, retaking about 152 square kilometers (58 square miles) of Ukrainian territory, reported AMK Mapping, a New Zealand-based independent OSINT project. 

Institute for the Study of War (ISW) also reported that Ukrainian troops continued their counteroffensive in the Lyman direction, partially corroborating AMK Mapping’s assessment. At the same time, ISW analysts haven’t disclosed the scale of Ukraine’s territorial gains. 

According to AMK Mapping, over the past week, Russian forces withdrew from the west of the Nitrius River, and then farther east toward the Zherebets River. This withdrawal reportedly allowed Ukrainian forces to recapture the villages of Shandryholove, Serednje, Zelena Dolnya, Derylove, and Novomykhailivka, located north of Lyman, and the area near the villages. 

Currently, Ukrainian troops are attempting to reach the Zherebets River from several directions, AMK Mapping said. 

The OSINT project assessed that the loss of Russian position north of Lyman reduced the threat of the city being encircled and eased pressure on Sloviansk, about 22 kilometers (13 miles) southeast of Lyman, as well as on Borova in the Kharkiv oblast, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) north of reportedly recaptured area.

Gwara Media journalists also contacted the press office of the 3rd Army Corps, which was involved in fighting in the Lyman direction. The brigade refused to comment on the reported counteroffensive. 

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