Russia Controls 5,000 sq km in Ukraine, Seizing 125 km Daily: Putin

Moscow (The Uttam Hindu): Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has officially revealed that Russia has gained control over about 5,000 square kilometers this year, roughly 1% of Ukraine’s total area. Putin stated that Russia is making continuous progress in its military operations.

Media reports indicate that since the conflict began in 2022, Russia has seized around 20% of Ukraine’s territory, approximately 1,20,000 sq km, including strategic regions like Donbas, Donetsk, and Sumy. Control over these areas has gradually weakened Ukraine’s access to the Black Sea, with Russia reportedly aiming to cut Ukraine off from maritime routes entirely.

According to a map released by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia now occupies 99% of Luhansk, 76% of Donetsk, 73% of Zaporizhia, and 73% of Kherson. Russia has also maintained control over Crimea since 2014.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry claims that so far, Russia has lost 1,11,700 soldiers, with 1,020 casualties in the last 24 hours alone, along with the destruction of 427 aircraft, 1 submarine, 28 naval boats, 11,238 tanks, and 33,493 artillery systems. Reports also suggest North Korea is openly aiding Russia in the conflict.