Russian forces now control less Ukrainian territory compared to what they had in the earlier phase of the Russia-Ukraine war that started in February 2022. The reason: Ukrainian troops unleashed a swift and efficient pushback in the Kharkiv region in September.
According to a CNN analysis of information from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russia secured or advanced on nearly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, or around 119,000 square kilometers (46,000 square miles), during its first significant offensive, which began on February 23.
However, Russia currently holds around 3,000 square kilometers less territory than it did in the first five days of the campaign, per the report, seven months after it began its invasion of Ukraine.
In an attempt to safeguard what it still governs, the Kremlin annexed four Ukrainian territories it only partially controls, expanding to the 2014 seizure and annexure of Crimea.
At a ceremony last Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed four separate documents on the official admission of the territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions to the Russian Federation.
A day before the event, Putin had already acknowledged the independence of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
Russia's Annexation of Ukrainian Territories Prompted by Struggles
CNN's examination of ISW data explains the military setbacks experienced by Moscow recently, which may have influenced the measures pushed by the Kremlin.
In total, Russia roughly quadrupled the land it controls in the first month of the invasion, including the annexation of Crimea and the creation of the separatist-controlled republics of Luhansk and Donetsk in 2014.
That, however, would be the pinnacle of Russian achievement. After failing to capture Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, Russia opted in early April to pull its soldiers out of the north and northeast of the country.
In the following months, the Russian military and its partners have had trouble making significant progress. According to the data, its net acquisitions of territory in Ukraine slowed to a rate of 200-1,400 square kilometers per month between early May and the end of August.
Kyiv has taken back the strategic eastern city of Lyman after driving away Moscow forces, which raised more concerns about Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine, increasing pressure on Putin's leadership.
On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed that his soldiers had encircled Lyman the day before and taken control, Al Jazeera reported.
"As of 12:30 pm (09:30 GMT), Lyman is cleared fully," he said in a video message. Zelenskyy also thanked his troops, whom he called "heroes."
Russian forces utilized the city as a logistics and rail center in the Donetsk region. Therefore, losing Lyman means a big blow to its military campaign.
According to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the Russian military will experience "a sort of dilemma" and drawbacks. The British military agrees with this assessment, noting that Moscow suffered a major political "setback" because of the retaking of Lyman.
Zelensky Requests For More Military Aid
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg remarked on Sunday that Ukrainians can push back against Putin's annexation, given their advancement on the battlefield.
The NATO chief added in the NBC interview that the Ukrainians were able to drive away the Russian forces because of their "courage" and "the advanced weapons that the United States and other allies are providing."
Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine, has pleaded for more resources from its allies for the Russia-Ukraine war, such as money and weapons, to secure the territory retaken from Russia.
Warsaw Pact weaponry, which Ukraine had been utilizing for decades, was predominantly used in the early stages of the conflict.
Although many units have adopted NATO-standard equipment, including artillery and ammunition, some still use older models.
The ISW claims that multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) were employed in both Kharkiv and Kherson. Specifically, MLRS was used by the United States.
According to Mr. Zelensky, the "primary goal" of the Ukrainian forces is "to de-occupy" their entire land.
The United States has pledged more money for direct military aid than any other country. As of current reporting, the US total war assistance to Ukraine is approximately $12.5 billion, according to a BBC report.
Read also: Nord Stream Pipeline Leak: NATO Chief Doubles Down on 'Sabotage' Claims, Sends Warning to Attackers
