A report from the Institute for the Study of War reveals that Russian troops experienced a net loss of 69 square miles of land in Ukraine from late April to mid-May 2026—about half the area of Las Vegas—following prior gains made by Ukrainian forces in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. In the first quarter, Ukraine regained roughly 400 square kilometers in and around Dnipropetrovsk, marking the largest recovery since the counteroffensives of 2022, according to a US Defense Intelligence Agency report submitted to Congress. Analysts at ISW believe these recoveries are hindering Russia's intended offensive operations for spring and summer. While Russia has achieved a slight overall net gain in territory during 2026, its progress is noticeably decelerating.
