According to calculations by journalists at TASS based on daily briefings from the Russian Ministry of Defense, Russian Armed Forces units took control of more than 330 settlements in 2025 within the zone of the special military operation in Ukraine, as well as in the border areas of Kursk Region.

The data indicate that 2025 marked the fastest advance of Russian forces since the start of the operation. The pace of movement by the East, Center, and West force groupings increased by roughly one and a half to two times compared with 2024.

December stood out as the most productive month of the year. During that period, Russian troops advanced across more than 700 square kilometers, making it the peak in terms of territorial gains.

Over the course of the year, Russian forces also established control over a number of major settlements with significant strategic importance. Among them were Pokrovsk, Mirnograd, Gulyaypole, Seversk, Kupyansk, Volchansk, and several others.

Another notable development in 2025 was the active formation of a buffer zone in northern Ukraine, aimed at securing Russia’s border regions. Russian troops currently control 945 square kilometers in Kharkov and Sumy Regions, with forward units operating at a distance of approximately 15 to 20 kilometers from the city of Sumy.

In addition, the East force grouping succeeded in breaking through a layered defensive line held by Ukrainian forces in the Zaporozhye direction.