In 2024, Russia captured less than 4,200 square kilometers in Ukraine. And the losses are higher than in the previous two years combined. However, hostilities will continue in 2025, notes the German public media ZDF.
According to data from the American Institute for the Study of War, last year Russia captured a total of 4,168 square kilometers of land. For comparison: the territory of Ukraine covers 604,000 square kilometers.
420,000 Russian fighters killed, wounded, captured or missing without a trace
Although the Russian offensive slowed down in December (mainly due to worsening weather conditions and improved Ukrainian defense), the quota of losses remained approximately the same. According to Ukrainian estimates, Russia lost about 420,000 fighters in 2024 alone. These soldiers were killed, wounded, captured or are considered missing without a trace. If these calculations reflect the real situation, this means that the past year was bloodier for Moscow than the previous two years combined. In comparison, the pace of the offensive is extremely slow, write on the ZDF website analysts Dr. Christian Mölling and Dr. András Rách.
Nevertheless, Russian forces continue to advance in the southern part of Donbas. According to data from the Ministry of Defense in Moscow, Russian troops have captured the strategically important town of Kurakhovo. The destroyed Kurakhovo thermal power plant is also under Russian control, and south of Pokrovsk, Russian troops advanced west, where they captured the city of Shevchenko, including the lithium mine located there.
According to Ukrainian sources, Russia has regrouped some of its most important units in the area south of Pokrovsk, which indicates that Moscow is prioritizing this direction.
The Kursk Offensive
Meanwhile, more and more information is emerging about North Korean troops in the Kursk region, who are apparently suffering very heavy losses. As it became known on Sunday, the Ukrainian armed forces have surprisingly launched a new offensive in the Russian border region of Kursk. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian troops have thwarted attempts by Ukrainian forces to achieve a serious breakthrough. At this time, this information cannot be independently confirmed.
Daria Popova-Witzel (editor)