Russia takes more Ukrainian territory recently

Ukraine made significant inroads into Russia's Kursk region at the beginning of August, capturing strategic areas. Russian forces have also made notable advances on the eastern front, seizing an additional 477 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory over the past month, according to a recent analysis. This area is larger than two-thirds the size of Seoul, marking Russia’s most substantial territorial gain in a month since October 2022.

Russian forces have reportedly advanced to within just 7 kilometers of Pokrovsk, a critical logistical hub for Ukrainian forces in the Donetsk region. Should Pokrovsk fall to Russian control or suffer extensive damage, it could severely impact Ukraine's military operations in the area. Meanwhile, Russia continues to demonstrate its military capabilities, including the construction of a launch site for the "invincible" Burevestnik nuclear missile near Moscow, as touted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to an analysis by the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW), cited by AFP on Monday, Russian forces advanced by 477 square kilometers in August alone, focusing primarily on the eastern Donetsk region. This equates to an average daily advance of 15 square kilometers. AFP noted that this level of territorial gain by Russia in a single month has not been seen since October 2022, when Russian forces restructured their frontlines in response to a Ukrainian counteroffensive in Kharkiv.

The Russian military’s recent push appears to be focused on capturing Pokrovsk. The Financial Times reported that Pokrovsk serves as a key logistical center, linking major cities in Donetsk with central Ukraine, and is currently vital for Ukraine's military supply lines. "Pokrovsk serves as a thoroughfare, and its capture would undermine Ukrainian forces’ defense of the rest of the region," the Financial Times reported.

As Russian forces advance to within 7 kilometers of the outskirts, Pokrovsk residents are fleeing en masse. According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), the city, which once had a population of 80,000, now has only 30,000 remaining as hundreds of people leave every day. "While Ukraine is putting pressure on Kursk, Russia has doubled down on capturing Pokrovsk," The WSJ reported.

Russia has been taking more Ukrainian territory recently. According to AFP, as of Sunday, Russia had occupied 66,266 square kilometers, which is more than 10% of Ukraine's territory (603,550 square kilometers). This is an increase of 1,730 square kilometers compared to last year. Meanwhile, Ukraine, which advanced into Kursk Oblast, secured 1,100 square kilometers in the first two weeks but has only managed to secure a total of 1,150 to 1,300 square kilometers.


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