Ukraine Liberated Over 600 Sq. Km. Since January, U.S. Institute Reports

Ukraine has reclaimed more than 600 square kilometers of territory since January, a conservative assessment by the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW) revealed. This figure is based on data released by Ukrainian authorities on August 12, which claimed the liberation of over 745 square kilometers and 26 settlements. Ukrainian officials also stated that approximately 300 square kilometers were cleared of encroaching Russian soldiers.

The "DeepState" map indicated Ukrainian advances, marking about 240 square kilometers as firmly controlled by Ukraine, with the remainder in a "gray zone." Analysts from "DeepState" calculated that Russian forces occupied a total of 586 square kilometers across all front lines during the same period, from January to August.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously stated that the military operation aimed to thwart Russia's spring and summer offensive and push Russian forces out of the Dnipropetrovsk region. ISW attributed Ukraine's counteroffensive success to several factors: improved operational planning by Ukrainian leadership, suppression and destruction of Russian air defense systems, intensified mid-range strikes on Russian logistics, Ukraine's advantage in drone usage, and the blocking of Russian forces' Starlink communication.

The report suggests this operation demonstrated Ukraine's capability to achieve significant tactical gains in specific front sectors using mechanized forces. Analysts also estimated that Russian forces lost about 233.7 square kilometers of previously controlled territory along the entire front line during the same period, while occupying only about 383 square kilometers of new territory.

Military observer Jan Matveev suggested that the Ukrainian leadership might soon lift the ban on publicizing information about the Ukrainian forces' operation in the Lyman direction. Some reports indicate that Ukrainian forces are preparing to cut off Russian-controlled territory north of Lyman from the rest of the Russian forces.

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This operation showed Ukraine's ability to achieve significant tactical gains in individual front sectors using mechanized forces.