Ukraine says it has recaptured vast swathes of territory so far this year

WorldPolitics
9 Jun 2026 • 5:02 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Ukraine says it has recaptured vast swathes of territory so far this year

  • Ukrainian forces have recaptured over 600 square kilometres of territory so far this year, according to the country's top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi.
  • Syrskyi reported that in May alone, Ukraine regained 100 square kilometres more land than it lost to Russian forces.
  • President Volodymyr Zelensky previously confirmed a similar figure, noting the recaptured area is approximately double the size of Birmingham.
  • Independent battlefield analyses suggest that Russia's territorial advances have slowed or reversed in recent months, a shift since the 2023 Ukrainian counter-offensive.
  • Despite these gains, Syrskyi described the frontline situation as 'difficult and dynamic,' with Russian forces continuing attempts to advance in the east and south, leading to a substantial increase in daily clashes.

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