Russia has increased its military gains Ukraine in the fourth consecutive month, based on AFP’s review of data from the US-based Institute for the Study of War.
Between August 2024 and July 2025, Russian forces seized nearly 5,900 square kilometers - significantly more than the 1,360 square kilometers captured in the prior year. In July alone, Russia took 713 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory, while Ukraine managed to recapture 79 square kilometers.
The majority of Russia’s July advances - around 75%—occurred in the eastern Donetsk region. By the end of July, Russia had full or partial control of 78% of Donetsk, up from 62% a year earlier. Notably, about 31% of Donetsk had already been held by pro-Russian separatists before Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
The report came amid US President Donald Trump’s efforts to bring Russia to negotiation table by placing a deadline of ten or twelve days for the Kremlin to end the war or face economic sanctions. On Friday, Trump said Russia lost 112,500 soldiers since the start of full-fledged invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, while Kyiv’s losses amounted to 8,000. “Ukraine has also lost civilians, but in smaller numbers, as Russian rockets crash into Kyiv and other Ukrainian locales,” Trump said.
