Russian President Vladimir Putin provided an update on the war in Ukraine, stating that Russia now controls nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Russian territorial gains
According to Putin, Russian forces captured almost 5,000 square kilometers (1,930 square miles) of Ukrainian land in 2025, representing nearly 1% of Ukraine’s total area. Current Russian-controlled regions include:
- Crimea, annexed in 2014
- Entire Luhansk region
- Around 80% of Donetsk
- About 75% of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia
- Small portions of Kharkiv, Sumy, Mykolaiv, and Dnipropetrovsk
Ukraine has repeatedly stated it will not cede any territory to Russia and refuses to recognize the occupation.
Battlefield spotlight
During the briefing as reported in Reuters, Putin invited Senior Lieutenant Naran Ochir-Goryaev to share his frontline experiences. The officer, hailed as a Russian hero, discussed his military career and the casualties suffered by his unit, earning applause from the audience.
Peace prospects questioned
Putin claimed Russia is “ready and willing” to pursue peace, referencing principles outlined by the Foreign Ministry in 2024. However, Ukraine and European allies remain skeptical, arguing that Moscow has repeatedly rejected ceasefire proposals and shown no willingness to compromise on its maximalist war objectives.
Human cost of the war
The conflict continues to exact a heavy toll on both sides. Putin said more than 700,000 Russian troops are engaged in Ukraine. Independent estimates from the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) in June 2025 suggested:
- Russian casualties: approximately 950,000, with up to 250,000 killed
- Ukrainian casualties: around 400,000, including 60,000–100,000 killed
Casualty figures have likely risen since then.
Soldier exchanges
Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky confirmed that Russia has returned the remains of 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers and received 26 Russian bodies from Kyiv, reflecting ongoing efforts to manage the human cost of the war.
