News Feed

Russia's advance in Ukraine fastest since early 2022, analysts claim

2 min read
Russia's advance in Ukraine fastest since early 2022, analysts claim
A column of tanks marked with the Z symbol stretches into the distance as they proceed northwards along the Mariupol-Donetsk highway, Ukraine on March 23, 2022. (Maximilian Clarke/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The advance of Russian forces in Ukraine continues to gain pace, reaching a new weekly and monthly record, the independent Russian outlet Agentstvo reported on Nov. 25, citing its analysis of the DeepState monitoring group's data.

Russia has captured 234.79 square kilometers (90 square miles) in the past week, which is the highest number in 2024, according to the analysis.

Russian forces have taken 600 square kilometers (232 square miles) since the start of November, which is more than in the entire October, setting a new record since early 2022, Agentstvo wrote.

The development comes at a critical moment as Ukraine faces the prospect of decreased U.S. support under Donald Trump's administration. As the president-elect pledged to bring both sides to the negotiating table, battlefield losses are likely to put Ukraine at a weakened position.

The advance is reportedly the fastest near Velyka Novosilka, a village in southern Donetsk Oblast close to the administrative border with Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Ukrainian officials have increasingly raised concerns about a possible new Russian push in Zaporizhzhia Oblast in the south, just as Russian forces continue to advance in the east, focusing their efforts near Pokrovsk and Kurakhove.

According to Agentstvo's analysis of DeepState data, Russia captured around 187 square kilometers (72 square miles) in the south.

Moscow's troops have also reportedly advanced 33 square kilometers (12.7 square miles) near Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub in Donetsk Oblast, 10 square kilometers (3.8 square miles) in the east of Kharkiv Oblast, and 4 square kilometers (1.5 square miles) near Chasiv Yar.

The Kyiv Independent could not immediately verify the claims.

Russia's advance has picked up pace over the past months as Ukraine's military struggles to replenish its ranks, and Western arms were not flowing in as fast as Kyiv would have hoped.

The outgoing Biden administration seeks to speed up materiel deliveries before Trump takes office. Washington has provided Ukraine's forces with new capabilities to stall the Russian advance, such as long-range strikes on Russian territory or anti-personnel mines.

Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian drones reportedly hit oil depot in Russia’s Kaluga Oblast
Key developments on Nov. 25: * Ukrainian drones hit oil depot in western Russia’s Kaluga Oblast, source says * Ukraine can strike Russian territory with ATACMS missiles, White House confirms * Russian missile attacks on central Kharkiv, Odesa injures dozens * Ukraine’s 3rd Brigade says it liber…
Article image
Avatar
Martin Fornusek

Senior News Editor

Martin Fornusek is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. He has previously worked as a news content editor at the media company Newsmatics and is a contributor to Euromaidan Press. He was also volunteering as an editor and translator at the Czech-language version of Ukraïner. Martin studied at Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, holding a bachelor's degree in security studies and history and a master's degree in conflict and democracy studies.

Read more
News Feed

The World Bank will provide $200 million over the next five years to prepare Ukrainian projects for large-scale reconstruction, the Economy Ministry announced on July 11. The funding will be available under the five-year PREPARE program with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA).

Video

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, war has become a daily reality for thousands of Ukrainian children. Some Ukrainian military units, such as the Azov Brigade, offer boot camps for teenagers to teach them the basics of self-defense, first aid, dry firing, and other survival skills — helping them prepare for both the realities of today and the uncertainties of the future.

Show More