Russia Loses 108 Square Miles in May as Ukraine's First Net Gains Since 2023 Emerge
Updated
Updated · Business Insider · Jun 2
Russia Loses 108 Square Miles in May as Ukraine's First Net Gains Since 2023 Emerge
7 articles · Updated · Business Insider · Jun 2
108 square miles of territory were lost by Russia in May, the Institute for the Study of War said, marking Moscow's first net monthly territorial setback since Ukraine's 2023 counteroffensive.
7,008 frontline combat encounters were recorded in May, up from 5,085 in April, yet DeepState and ISW both said Russia's advance slowed enough for Ukraine to claw back ground overall.
DeepState said stronger Ukrainian commanders under defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov and tighter battlefield management helped drive the reversal.
30- to 50-mile Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian logistics hubs and rear transport operations also disrupted Moscow's offensive capacity, according to ISW and Britain's defense ministry.
The shift contrasts with Russia's earlier momentum, including a reported 280 square miles seized in November 2024, and would be Ukraine's first overall territorial gain since summer 2023.
With attacks deep into Russia, is Ukraine's new goal to cripple its economy, not just retake land?
Is Ukraine's drone strategy rewriting the rules of modern warfare faster than Russia can adapt?
Ukraine’s First Net Territorial Gains Since 2024: Turning the Tide in the Russia-Ukraine War
Overview
In May 2026, Ukraine achieved its first net territorial gains since 2024, marking a turning point in the conflict. This shift followed a broader trend of declining Russian advances throughout 2026, with Russia's struggles rooted in deeper, non-seasonal challenges on the ground. Ukrainian forces intensified ground counterattacks and effective mid-range strikes, which diminished Russia's capacity to advance and challenged their battlefield initiative. As Russian forces struggled to move forward, Ukraine's proactive tactics and operational innovation allowed it to regain momentum, signaling a significant change in the dynamics of the war.