Ukraine, under the leadership of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has reclaimed approximately half of the territory occupied by Russia since the invasion began in February 2022. This indicates that nearly 50% of the originally seized land is still under Russian control.
Prior to the invasion, Russia held 42,000 km2 (16,000 sq mi) of Ukrainian territory. Following the invasion, they extended their occupation to an additional 119,000 km2 (46,000 sq mi), resulting in a total of 161,000 km2 (62,000 sq mi) or nearly 27% of Ukraine’s land.
Nonetheless, Ukrainian forces have managed to counter the Russian advance in certain regions. According to the Guardian, Russia has lost a fifth of the initially occupied territory, now holding about 40,000 sq miles of Ukrainian land exclusively in the south and east.
Predicting how much more territory Ukraine can eventually reclaim remains uncertain. The ongoing war and fluidity of the situation make it difficult to ascertain outcomes. Nonetheless, the fact that Ukraine has successfully recaptured 50% of the seized land marks a significant achievement, demonstrating the capability of the Ukrainian military to continue gaining ground.
The conflict has led to widespread devastation and humanitarian crises in the region. Thousands of lives have been lost, and countless others have been displaced, seeking refuge from the violence and instability.
Ukrainian citizens in the affected regions have faced immense hardships due to the disruption of essential services, including access to food, water, and medical aid. The conflict has not only brought physical destruction but also severe emotional and psychological trauma to those who have witnessed the horrors of war.
