Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted on Tuesday that Russian forces have seized nearly 5,000 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory during 2025, declaring that Moscow still holds “full strategic initiative” on the battlefield. He claimed that in addition to the land captured, some 212 localities have come under Russian control so far this year.
Speaking at a meeting with high-ranking military commanders, Putin said Ukrainian troops are in retreat across all fronts despite mounting resistance, and that Kyiv’s attempts to strike deep into Russian territory have not altered the broader dynamics of the war. General Valery Gerasimov, Russia’s Chief of the General Staff, reportedly added that Russian forces are advancing “in practically all directions,” pointing to operations targeting key cities such as Siversk and Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region, as well as activity in Kupiansk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
Ukrainian sources offer a different account: recent gains by Kyiv have been reported around Dobropillia in Donetsk, and in the border Sumy region. Analysts caution that Russian claims are difficult to independently verify, noting that front-line situation is complex, with advances and counter-advances often reported by both sides. The war, now more than three and a half years old, continues to see attritional fighting, especially in eastern Ukraine.
Putin also reiterated that the original objectives of the invasion in 2022 — the “demilitarisation and denazification” of Ukraine — remain the declared goals of his “special military operation.” The announcement appears aimed both at domestic audiences, cementing the narrative of progress, and at international observers, to underscore Russia’s claim of maintaining momentum despite pressure.
