Russian forces advanced 3,985 square kilometers into Ukraine in 2024, almost seven times more than in 2023 (584 square km), according to an AFP analysis of data from the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW ), until December 30.

This advance was mainly fueled by the acceleration of Russian movements in autumn 2024, with their troops advancing 610 square kilometers in October and 725 square kilometers in November. November and October 2024 are thus the two months in which the most territory was captured in Ukraine since March 2022 and the first weeks of the conflict.

In December, the Russian advance slowed, reaching 465 sq. km the first 30 days of the month. But this advance is still four times greater than in the corresponding month last year, and two and a half times greater than in December 2022.

Almost three-quarters of the territory occupied by the Russians in Ukraine in 2024 is in the Donetsk region, which includes the city of Pokrovsk, a major logistics hub for the Ukrainian military. Russia now controls or operates 70% of the region, compared to 59% at the end of 2023.

The Russian advance there accelerated from August 2024, a month in which the Russians captured almost 400 sq km, to reach 629 sq km in November.

2024 was also marked by the large-scale Ukrainian offensive in Russia’s Kursk region that began in July. On August 20 and 21, the advance reported by Ukrainian forces reached its peak, with about 1,320 sq km. But this business zone has since been reduced to 482 sq km on 30 December.