Russia seizes 5.5 times more Ukrainian territory in past two months than in all of 2023

Russian forces significantly accelerated their territorial gains in Ukraine, capturing 5.5 times more land in August and September 2024 than in the entirety of 2023, according to analysts from the UA War Infographics project.

Russia increased its offensive towards strategic cities in the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. In particular, during the last few months, Russia advanced in the Pokrovsk direction, a focal point of intense fighting in the oblast. Russia also made gains in the center of Toretsk. Ukraine withdrew from Vuhledar on 1 October, the strategically important city on high ground that the Russians wanted to use for further advances and offensives.

The analysts from the UA War Infographics project reported on 15 October that Russian forces captured a maximum of 200 square kilometers per month in the first half of 2024. In August, Russians captured 351 square kilometers, and in September, 468 square kilometers.

The analysts explain that Russia’s advances are due to two main factors: “a shortage of weapons faced by the Ukrainian Defense Forces and a change in the tactics of the invaders.”

The report notes that Russian forces have begun “massively using buggies and motorcycles” in their assaults.

Despite these gains, The Economist reported on 10 October that “Russian troops are far from achieving their main goal – control over Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts by the end of this year.”

The publication suggests that Ukraine’s strategy involves “giving up some territory to inflict maximum losses on the Russian army.”

Politico, meanwhile, reported that September 2024 was “the bloodiest” month for the Russian army in nearly three years of war.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 7 October that Russian forces suffered “substantial equipment losses” in the Pokrovsk area of Ukraine since October 2023. In particular, Russian troops lost 1,830 pieces of heavy equipment in the Pokrovsk direction since 9 October 2023.

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