Ukraine Recaptures More Territory Than Lost for Second Straight Month

Ukraine has successfully regained more territory than it lost to Russian forces for the second month in a row, according to an analysis of Institute for the Study of War (ISW) data. In May 2026, Ukrainian troops reclaimed approximately 282 square kilometers of land.

This follows a significant shift in April, when Russian forces lost about 120 square kilometers. That month marked the first time in two and a half years that Russia experienced a net loss of territory. The combined gains for Ukraine in April and May amount to roughly 403 square kilometers, a notable positive trend for Kyiv in the ongoing conflict.

ISW reports that the pace of Russian offensives has slowed since late 2025. This deceleration is attributed to the increasing effectiveness of Ukrainian strikes using mid-range and frontline drones. These drone campaigns are limiting Russia's ability to move troops to the front lines and resupply or maintain their positions.

Despite these Ukrainian successes, the reclaimed territory constitutes a small percentage, approximately 0.4 percent, of the total area currently under Russian occupation. Russia still holds positions in most areas from which Ukraine has recaptured territory. Russian forces have employed tactics of sending small groups to occupy positions and conceal themselves, aiming to pave the way for larger troop movements later. Russia currently occupies just over 19 percent of Ukraine's territory, including Crimea and parts of the Donbas region occupied before the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The majority of Russia's territorial advances occurred in the initial weeks of the war, which began with a full-scale invasion in 2022, resulting in hundreds of thousands of casualties and millions displaced.

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Ukraine's successful mid-range and frontline drone strike campaigns limit Russia's ability to move troops to the front line and supply and maintain front positions.