Ukraine is starting to regain more ground than it is losing for the first time since 2023. Ukrainian forces liberated more territory than they lost in the last two weeks of February 2026 for the first time since the Summer 2023 counteroffensive. Russian forces suffered a net loss of 116 square kilometers of territory in April 2026. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi stated on May 15 that precise Ukrainian strikes, the destruction of Russian reserves, and constant pressure on Russian assault units have allowed Ukrainian forces to increasingly seize the tactical initiative and force Russian forces to react to a Ukrainian-defined operational tempo.
Between February and now that is true, but the last few months have seen small net gains by Ukraine. Whether that trend holds out is up in the air, but they have been doing a number on Russian logistics. Crimea in particular is struggling mightily with fuel shortages.
Of course Russia is creeping forward. I makes no sense for Ukraine to let their people die to protect every square km of Ukraine. Their strategy is it slow Russia as much as possible while limiting their own losses. Basically make Russia bleed out and never reach Kiev.
deleted by creator
The tide has turned.
https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/ukraines-intermediate-range-strike-campaign-and-new-mechanized-attacks-herald-the-start-of-a-new-phase-of-the-war/
deleted by creator
Did they? Someone made a graph based on ISW data that showed the last few months as Ukraine gaining on net
deleted by creator
Between February and now that is true, but the last few months have seen small net gains by Ukraine. Whether that trend holds out is up in the air, but they have been doing a number on Russian logistics. Crimea in particular is struggling mightily with fuel shortages.
Not to mention the thousands of children Russia kidnapped, and god knows what happened to them.
As sad as it is, those children will have no impact on the economy of Ukraine.
Of course Russia is creeping forward. I makes no sense for Ukraine to let their people die to protect every square km of Ukraine. Their strategy is it slow Russia as much as possible while limiting their own losses. Basically make Russia bleed out and never reach Kiev.