Russia& Ukrainia Latest Developments

How much of Ukraine has Russia taken?

By 2025, Russian forces occupy or claim control over approximately 20 percent of Ukraine’s territory (this includes areas seized since 2022 and newly taken ground in later offensives). The situation remains very fluid, with local counteroffensives, shifting frontlines, and contested zones.

In 2025 alone, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that his forces captured nearly 5,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian land, representing about 1 percent of Ukraine’s area. Many of these gains are in smaller villages and buffer zones rather than major cities. The Ukrainian military disputes some of these claims, asserting that no large cities have fallen this year and that many Russian advances have been halted or reversed in certain sectors.

What is the reason for Russia attacking Ukraine?

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was presented by Moscow under justifications such as demilitarization, de-Nazification, and securing “protective” buffer zones. From Russia’s perspective, they argue Ukraine’s alignment with Western institutions (e.g. NATO, EU) threatens Russian security interests.

Ukraine and its supporters see this war as a straightforward act of aggression, territorial ambition, and an attempt to reassert influence over its neighbor. The conflict also involves control over resources, infrastructure, and strategic geography. Over time, it has evolved into a war of attrition with massive destruction of civilian infrastructure and prolonged battles for key regions.

Which is stronger, Ukraine or Russia?

This is not a simple question and depends on the dimension being considered—military capability, moral resolve, international backing, sustainability, or control of territory.

On sheer numbers, Russia has advantages in certain heavy weapon systems, air power, and strategic reserves.

Ukraine’s strengths lie in asymmetric warfare, local knowledge, effective use of western-provided weaponry, and higher morale in many units.

International support for Ukraine—through weapons, finances, intelligence, and diplomatic pressure—shifts the balance significantly.

Russia suffers from supply chain issues, domestic political strains, sanctions, and increasing equipment and troop attrition.

In 2025, the battlefield has seen contested advances and stalemates rather than dramatic breakthroughs by either side, indicating that while Russia may hold structural advantages, Ukraine remains a resilient and capable adversary.

Latest Developments

Over the last days, Russia intensified aerial strikes especially on Ukraine’s power infrastructure as winter nears, seeking to degrade energy grids and civilian utilities. One thermal power plant was seriously damaged in an overnight strike, affecting multiple regions. Ukrainian officials responded by preparing warming centers and alerting vulnerable communities.

In a large-scale assault involving missiles and drones, Russia reportedly launched 53 missiles and 496 drones across multiple Ukrainian regions. The attack resulted in several deaths and widespread damage to civilian infrastructure, especially energy systems and residential areas.

Ukrainian authorities countered by revealing that many of those Russian weapons included over 100,000 foreign-made components, indicating continued leakage or transfer of military technology despite sanctions. Kyiv has pressed its international partners to tighten export controls and reduce dual-use supply to Russia.

In terms of territory, Putin asserted that Russian forces gained close to 5,000 km² inside Ukraine in 2025 alone, while Ukrainian forces claim to have made localized counteroffensives in regions like Sumy, pushing back in some areas. The frontline remains dynamic, with gains and losses on both sides, especially near contested regions such as Siversk, Kupiansk, Pokrovsk, and Kharkiv.

Russian military analysts report high casualties in certain sectors of the front. One assessment noted that the Western grouping of Russian forces in areas like Kupyansk and Borova has suffered tens of thousands of casualties. Meanwhile, losses in Russian equipment, especially tanks, armored vehicles, drones, and artillery systems, continue to accumulate. Ukrainian defense sources say that as of early October, Russian forces have lost over 11,200 tanks, tens of thousands of armored fighting vehicles, thousands of artillery systems, and large numbers of other equipment.

Winter is approaching, and with it, a renewed battle over energy and infrastructure resilience. Russia’s strategy of targeting energy systems is designed to weaken morale and create humanitarian crises. Meanwhile, Ukraine is pushing for more air defense systems, deeper intelligence cooperation, and continued international pressure to limit Russia’s ability to resupply and rearm.