Russian Army Makes Significant Gains in Ukraine in October
In a notable shift in the ongoing conflict, the Russian army has reported its largest territorial gain in a single month since March 2022, advancing by 478 square kilometers into Ukrainian territory throughout October. This data, analyzed by AFP and based on information from the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW), indicates that the Russian forces have outperformed their previous advances in August and September, which were 477 and 459 square kilometers, respectively.
The Donetsk region has been a focal point of this advancement, accounting for two-thirds of the total gains in October with 324 square kilometers captured. Russian troops are now reportedly only a few kilometers away from the strategic town of Pokrovsk, approaching it from southern and eastern directions. The situation highlights the increasing challenges faced by the Ukrainian army, which is contending with a more heavily armed and numerous Russian force.
Additionally, Russian forces have made progress further north, reclaiming over 40 square kilometers towards Kupiansk, a city that was initially taken by Russian troops at the beginning of the conflict but was retaken by Ukraine in September 2022. This resurgence in Russian territorial control marks a significant moment in the conflict, as it mirrors the rapid gains made by Kremlin troops in the early stages of the invasion.
Since the beginning of 2024, Russian forces have captured more than 2,660 square kilometers, a stark contrast to the 584 square kilometers taken throughout the entirety of 2023. As of October 27, 2024, Russia has seized a total of 67,192 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory since the war began on February 24, 2022. Including Crimea, annexed in 2014, and territories in Donbass controlled by separatists, Moscow now holds approximately 18.2% of Ukraine's land.
The analysis conducted by AFP utilizes data provided by ISW, which relies on publicly available information from both sides of the conflict, along with satellite imagery assessments.
