Russia's military leader declared their intention to persist with the ongoing conflict

In the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the situation in certain northeastern areas of Pokrovsk has seen significant developments. Kyiv's army has encircled approximately 800 Russian soldiers in these regions, which include Kupiansk, Pokrovsk, and Dobropillya, though the specific adjacent city-regions are not fully detailed.

Russia currently controls a substantial portion of several Ukrainian regions. Approximately 99.7% of the Luhansk region, 79% of Donetsk, 74% of Zaporizhzhia, and 76% of Kherson are under Russian control. It is important to note that these figures do not account for potential changes in the political landscape or international intervention.

The advance of Russian forces has not been without consequence. Civilians have been affected by the conflict, with estimates suggesting that the war has resulted in the deaths of around 250,000 soldiers (according to the Washington-based CSIS) to 220,000 soldiers (according to a study by Meduza and Mediazona). The heavy losses are a testament to the cost of the ongoing conflict.

The advance of Russian forces has taken place over a period of 1010 days, with the calculations not accounting for potential changes in the rate of territory gain or loss. If the current rate continues, it could take until 2029 for the Russian army to reach the administrative borders of the currently occupied regions. However, it's crucial to emphasise that these calculations do not predict the outcome of the war or the final territorial control.

The Economist has made calculations regarding the rate of loss for the Russian army, suggesting that they are losing one soldier for every 0.038 km² of territory gained in the summer of 2025. This means that Russia currently controls around 20% of Ukraine's territory, having occupied around 0.97% of Ukraine's area in 1010 days of war.

The conflict has also seen instances of civilian casualties. On August 28 and 30, massive missile strikes on Ukraine resulted in the deaths of 25 people, including children, in Kyiv. These strikes occurred simultaneously with the advance of Russian forces, highlighting the ongoing threat to civilian safety.

It's important to note that these calculations do not take into account the potential for strategic maneuvers or changes in military tactics. The situation remains fluid and subject to change as the conflict unfolds.

Russia's military leader declared their intention to persist with the ongoing conflict