Russian forces seek full control of Donetsk region by year end

Russian forces intend to capture the remaining 20 percent of Ukraine's partially occupied Donetsk region by the end of 2026, according to statements reported by Al Jazeera. At the current pace of advance, Russian troops would require 5,150 days, or 14 years, to finish the task, the Institute for the Study of War said.

That calculation adds to the 12 years Russian-aligned forces have already spent attempting to take the region from Ukrainian control.

Territorial gains and losses Russian forces took 2,190 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory in the first half of 2025 but only 622 square kilometres so far in 2026, the Institute for the Study of War reported. When infiltrations without firm control and Ukrainian counter-advances are excluded, Russia's net territorial gain for the first half of 2026 falls to 97 square kilometres.

Ukraine's president said Russia has suffered 1.4 million casualties since the war began, citing a July 1 estimate from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Ukraine's military estimated 39,490 Russian casualties in June alone.

Ukrainian strikes on Russian logistics Ukraine conducted 303 mid-range and long-range strikes in June, up from 210 in May, the Institute for the Study of War assessed. Between July 1 and July 2, Ukrainian forces struck 12 electricity substations in southern Crimea.

The commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces stated his units hit a Russian target on or behind the front lines every 52 seconds in June, damaging 50,147 military targets.

Russian statements on negotiations Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said U.S. proposals discussed in Alaska were accepted by the Russian side. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated Russia remains open to U.S. mediation. President Vladimir Putin said he rejected two Ukrainian ceasefire proposals, one covering long-range strikes and another covering the regions of Sumy, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, and Dnipropetrovsk.