According to an analysis by AFP, Russia achieved its most significant territorial expansion in Ukraine last year since the initial phase of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

In 2025, the Russian military took control of over 5,600 square kilometers (approximately 2,160 square miles) of Ukrainian land, which represents about 0.94% of the entire country, as per information from the U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War.

This figure encompasses regions that both Ukrainian officials and independent analysts have confirmed are under Russian control, in addition to areas claimed by Moscow.

The territorial gains made by Russia in the last year surpass the combined total of advances from 2023 and 2024, although they remain significantly less than the over 60,000 square kilometers captured in the early months of 2022.

The most substantial monthly advance in 2025 occurred in November, when Russian forces acquired approximately 701 square kilometers. In December, the pace of their advancement dwindled to just 244 square kilometers, marking the smallest monthly increase since March.

Throughout the year, Ukraine faced increasing pressure from ongoing Russian airstrikes and ground attacks, gradually losing territory as its military struggled with shortages in personnel and ammunition.

Currently, Russia occupies nearly 20% of Ukraine and has insisted that Kyiv withdraw its forces from the eastern Donbas region as a prerequisite for any peace negotiations.