Whereas Russia’s beneficial properties have been comparatively small, analysts mentioned they’re nonetheless important as they strain Ukraine’s army over a broad geographic space.
“They’re seeking to create vulnerabilities on the Ukrainian aspect, urgent the enemy on all sides,” mentioned Max Bergmann, director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia program on the Heart for Strategic and Worldwide Research.

Russia’s weekly internet territory
beneficial properties since Ukraine’s
2023 counteroffensive
Assessed territory in sq. miles
Ukraine’s
counteroffensive
begins
Ukraine
launches
counteroffensive
Russia launches
a number of assaults
alongside the entrance line

Russia’s weekly internet territory beneficial properties
since Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive
Assessed territory in sq. miles
Ukraine’s
counteroffensive
begins
Ukraine
launches
counteroffensive
Russia launches
a number of assaults alongside
the entrance line

Russia’s weekly internet territory beneficial properties
since Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive
Assessed territory in sq. miles
Ukraine’s
counteroffensive
Russia launches
a number of assaults alongside
the entrance line
Ukraine
launches
counteroffensive

Russia’s weekly internet territory beneficial properties since Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive
Assessed territory in sq. miles
Ukraine’s
counteroffensive
Russia launches
a number of assaults alongside
the entrance line
Ukraine
launches
counteroffensive
The quantity of territory Russia has occupied during the last a number of weeks is about as giant because the territory Ukraine retook throughout its lackluster spring counteroffensive in 2023.
Analysts mentioned this Russian push may very well be tied to an absence of mobilization in Ukraine: Most of the troopers referred to as up nonetheless must be skilled. In addition they cited Washington’s seven-month delay in approving extra assist to Ukraine. Shares of artillery shells and different long-range munitions are operating low, impeding Ukraine’s defenses.
This new assault from Russia means Ukraine must transfer forces round, particularly to the north, mentioned Gian Gentile, a senior historian at Rand. This might hamper any Ukrainian efforts to arrange for an offensive of their very own.
As Russia presses deeper into Ukraine, civilians residing on the entrance strains are once more confronted with the all-too-familiar determination of whether or not to go away their properties or danger residing underneath Russian occupation. Older residents, who waited out the primary Russian push in small villages and cities equivalent to Vovchansk are fleeing this time as Russian shelling intensifies.
“Do you assume they want these villages?” Valentina Ilyenko, 73, mentioned of the Russians to The Washington Submit. “There’s nothing left. They’re going to maintain going. They’re simply clearing us all out of there for no matter they’re planning subsequent.”
Information from the Institute for the Research of Battle, as of Might 15. Calculations had been completed utilizing territory management information and don’t embody assessed advances.
Isabelle Khurshudyan, Serhii Korolchuk and Michael Birnbaum contributed to this report.