In the past 2024, Russia has captured nearly 3,600 sq. km of the territory of Ukraine, Ukrainian social networks in Kiev reported today, quoted by DPA. The area is approximately the same as that of the Spanish island of Mallorca or Long Island in New York, BTA writes.
Ukraine suffered its greatest territorial losses in November, when it lost about 610 sq. km. At that time, Russian forces captured approximately 20 sq. km. daily, writes the Ukrainian military blog "Military", citing data from the maps of another military blog - "DeepStateMap". According to reports, the losses in 2024 were many times greater than those in the previous year.
There is no official confirmation of these data.
In mid-December, a Ukrainian infographic channel about the war in Ukraine on "Telegram" estimated the advance of Russian troops since the beginning of the year at more than 2,800 sq. km. However, according to reports, Ukraine also lost an additional 510 sq. km. in December. from its territory.
DPA notes that territorial losses for Kiev have increased significantly since Ukraine's summer counter-offensive and the entry into western Russia's Kursk region.
Even after the start of the new year, Russian troops continue to advance and are said to have gained positions in the last 24 hours at Kurakhovo, near the strategically important town of Pokrovsk, as well as in the Ukrainian frontline town of Toretsk, the German news agency notes.
Ukraine has been defending itself against a full-scale Russian invasion for almost three years now with the help of its Western allies.