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ISW Says Ukraine Recaptured More Territory Than It Lost in April
The Institute for the Study of War reported that Russian forces suffered a net territorial loss of 116 square kilometres in April after Ukraine increased its effectiveness. Russian casualties exceeded 35,000 that month according to Ukrainian officials, outpacing recruitment. Ukraine also conducted multiple strikes on Russian oil facilities and military targets deep inside Russia.
May 8, 6:45 AM·3m read1 source
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The Institute for the Study of War said Ukraine may have reversed the trend of Russian territorial gains in April, recapturing more land than it lost for the first time in recent months. That figure covered only firmly controlled territory and excluded grey zones where both sides maintained positions.
Russian forces have used infiltration tactics in part to create the perception of continuous advances, the ISW said. It added that Russian forces do not control those infiltration areas. The ISW has recorded a progressive slowing of the Russian rate of advance by at least two-thirds over the past 18 months.
Russian forces seized an average of 2.9 square kilometres per day in the first third of 2026, down from 9.76 square kilometres per day in the same period of 2025.
Putin has prioritised capturing the remainder of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. The area includes a fortress belt of fortified cities: Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Konstiantynivka and Druzhkivka. Ukrainian commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskii said Russian assaults in the area noticeably increased in April.
Moscow has claimed gradual advances in Konstiantynivka, but the ISW reported infiltration in 10.14 percent of the city and control of only 0.7 percent of its eastern outskirts.
Ukraine stated that Russia suffered higher casualties than its recruitment rate could replace for the fifth consecutive month. Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said 35,203 Russian soldiers were eliminated or seriously wounded in April. Fedorov added that Russia was gradually drowning in losses.
