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In a major reversal, Russia lost net territory in Ukraine in April for the first time since the summer 2023 counter-offensive.
An analysis by AFP, based on data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), indicates that Moscow lost control of approximately 120 square kilometres during the March-to-April period.
While the front lines remain near a stalemate, the conflict is currently characterised by relentless, drone-heavy assaults.
The slowdown in Russian progress since late 2025 is attributed to a combination of Ukrainian counterattacks and severe communication breakdowns within the Russian military.
The ISW highlights that these internal issues have been worsened by a 2026 ban on Russia’s use of Starlink terminals, the throttling of Telegram, and effective mid-range strikes by Ukrainian forces.
Despite these setbacks, Russian troops maintain a scattered presence in roughly 75% of the areas Ukraine recently reclaimed.
Environmental factors have also hindered Russian mobility, with spring rains and melting permafrost creating muddy conditions that complicate the movement of heavy machinery.
Throughout April, Ukrainian forces made progress in several sectors, reclaiming roughly 40 square kilometres in each of the Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions.
These calculations exclude Russian infiltration tactics and unconfirmed claims of Russian advances.
While these gains represent the first net territorial increase for Kyiv in over two years, the scale remains marginal at just 0.02% of the country.
Moscow continues to occupy over 19% of Ukrainian territory, a figure that includes Crimea and regions held by separatists before the 2022 invasion.
During this period, Russia’s primary offensive focus remained on the Donetsk region, where it managed to secure a few square kilometres east of Kramatorsk.
