Putin says Russia has taken 133 localities in Ukraine in half a year

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russian forces have liberated 133 settlements in Ukraine since the start of 2026, asserting that Russia maintains the strategic initiative on the front lines.

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Since the beginning of this year, Russian troops have liberated 133 settlements and taken control of more than 3,000 square kilometers of our territory in Donbas and Novorossiya.

During a meeting with military leadership, Putin stated, "Since the beginning of this year, Russian troops have liberated 133 settlements and taken control of more than 3,000 square kilometers of our territory in Donbas and Novorossiya." He specifically mentioned the capture of Kostiantínivka in eastern Ukraine, a city Russia considers a crucial communication hub and industrial center. "The liberation of Kostiantínivka has great strategic importance," Putin declared, adding that its capture by the Southern military group "opens a direct route for advance towards Kramatorsk and Sloviansk, and other fortified areas of Donbas."

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The liberation of Kostiantínivka has great strategic importance. The city, as we all know, is a key communication hub and an important industrial center in Donbas.

Putin further warned Kyiv against continuing attacks on Russian infrastructure, stating, "The more such attacks the enemy carries out, the larger the security zone we will have to establish in the adjacent territory." This statement implies a potential expansion of Russian control or military operations in response to Ukrainian strikes.

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This is, without a doubt, the key to liberating the entire territory of the Donetsk People's Republic.

Valeri Guerásimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, provided further details, reporting that in June alone, Russian troops captured 29 settlements and 636 square kilometers of territory. He affirmed that the Russian army would continue its operations to expand control in the Donbas, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions. The reported gains suggest a continued offensive push by Russian forces in eastern and southern Ukraine.

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The more such attacks the enemy carries out, the larger the security zone we will have to establish in the adjacent territory.