Russia seized 477 sqkm of Ukrainian territory in August: Report
In August, Russia seized 477 square kilometers (184 square miles) of Ukrainian territory, marking its largest monthly territorial gain since October 2022. The data was provided by the Institute for the Study of War and analyzed by AFP. Despite initial rapid gains by the Ukrainian army in early August following a surprise incursion into Russia's Kursk border region, Russian forces have managed to solidify their hold over new territories.
Russian troops advance toward Pokrovsk
The data revealed that Russian troops advanced by an average of 15 square kilometers per day in Ukraine, primarily in the eastern region of Donetsk. The majority of these gains were directed toward the logistical hub of Pokrovsk. By late Sunday, the army had advanced to within less than seven kilometers (7.08km) from the city.
Moscow's territorial gains surpass previous years
Since the start of 2024, Moscow has intensified its encroachment into Ukrainian territory, seizing a total of 1,730 square kilometers. This figure is three times higher than in 2023 when Ukrainian counteroffensives nullified Russia's territorial gains. However, recent months have seen Kyiv's troops struggling to launch successful counterattacks on their own territory.
Ukrainian forces struggle to reclaim territory
Ukrainian forces have managed to regain more territory than they lost to the Russians on only eight days so far in 2024, and then usually only several square kilometers. As of September 1, Russia occupied a total of 66,266 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory. This includes areas already under control of pro-Russian separatists before the 2022 invasion and represents approximately 18% of Ukraine's size as measured in 2013.
