Data from the Institute for the Study of War, as reviewed by Russia Matters, reveals that Russian troops lost a total of 69 square miles of territory in Ukraine during the period from April 21 to May 19 — marking the most significant one-month loss since the beginning of 2024. The speed of these losses is increasing, with 29 square miles given up in the week of May 12-19, up from 12 square miles the previous week. This shift stands in stark contrast to the earlier timeframe, where Russia had seen minor net gains. Military experts attribute this to Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities, enhanced by coalition-provided weaponry, which have effectively disrupted Russian supply lines and command systems, undermining their defensive positions.
