Ukraine Regains 116 Sq Km With Mechanized Counterattacks as Drone Edge Opens New War Phase
Updated
Updated · Institute for the Study of War · May 26
Ukraine Regains 116 Sq Km With Mechanized Counterattacks as Drone Edge Opens New War Phase
1 articles · Updated · Institute for the Study of War · May 26
Russian forces posted a net loss of 116 square kilometers in April as Ukrainian troops expanded tactical counterattacks and, for the first time since 2023, began regaining ground faster in some periods than they lost it.
Ukraine’s shift is being driven by restored drone superiority, deeper strikes on Russian logistics and air defenses, and more mature planning that has allowed armored vehicles to operate inside areas that were effectively closed to mechanized assaults in 2025.
Russian momentum has sharply weakened: average advances fell to 2.9 square kilometers a day in the first four months of 2026, while reported casualties have exceeded recruitment since December 2025.
The new pressure has already forced Russian redeployments and disrupted supply routes toward Donetsk and Crimea, but neither side can yet conduct full operational maneuver and analysts say Ukraine’s advantage may be temporary unless partners expand support.
As Russia's war strategy falters, could its internal political stability be the next front?
How long can Ukraine's tech advantage last against Russia's industrial might?
Is Ukraine’s software-driven success the new blueprint for defeating larger armies?