MOSCOW: Russia has captured 1,700 square km of territory in Ukraine this year, according to its top general, who said forces are advancing toward the “fortress belt” in Donbas. Since its 2022 invasion, Russia has aimed to control all of Donbas, where Ukrainian forces have been pushed back toward key cities amid ongoing heavy fighting. Ukraine has also reported gains. Commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said Ukrainian forces regained nearly 50 sq km in March.
Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov said 80 settlements and over 1,700 square km have come under Russian control this year. These claims could not be independently verified.
Pro-Ukrainian maps suggest Russia has taken about 592 sq km in 2026.Gerasimov said Russian forces are targeting the Donetsk “fortress belt,” including Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, and Kostiantynivka, and are within 7–12 km of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Fighting is reportedly ongoing in parts of Kostiantynivka. He added that Russian troops are also advancing in Sumy and Kharkiv regions to create what he called a “security zone.”
Russia claims it controls about 90% of Donbas, 75% of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, and parts of Mykolaiv and Dnipro regions. Russia also controls Crimea, annexed in 2014, though it is internationally recognized as part of Ukraine.
Pro-Ukrainian estimates indicate Russia controls about 116,793 sq km, or 19.35%, of Ukraine, with advances slowing this year.
