Russia's army took just 6.8 square miles of Ukrainian territory in April, less than a 0.02% increase, US think tank says, as military losses mount

Sinéad Baker
Updated ·2 min read
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  • Russia increased its Ukraine territory by 0.016% in April, the Institute for the Study of War told Insider.

  • That's just 6.76 square miles, as its troop losses continue and Ukraine readies for a counterattack.

  • Russia's territorial gains in February and March were also small, highlighting its lack of progress.

Russia gained less than 6.8 square miles (17.5 square kilometers) of new territory in Ukraine in April, according to one US think tank. At the same time, it suffered major losses and is now awaiting an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Washington DC-based think tank Institute for the Study of War told Insider that Russia held just 6.76 square miles more Ukrainian territory on April 31 than it did in April 1, according to its mapping data. That meant a territory increase of just 0.016%.

Ukraine's landmass is over 230,000 square miles.

Russia saw territorial gains of 0.039% in February, the think tank previously told Insider, followed by 0.28% in March, the equivalent of 115.9 square miles.

These limited gains come as Russia's troop and equipment losses continue to mount.

Ukraine said that 690 Russian troops were killed in one day on April 22, and the White House said in early May that more than 20,000 Russian troops have been killed in the fighting since December.

US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said in early May that "Russian forces are facing significant shortfalls in munitions and are under significant personnel constraints but continue to lay minefields and prepare new defensive positions in occupied Ukrainian territory."

Russian efforts in April concentrated on the eastern Ukrainian cities of Bakhmut, Marinka, and Avdiivka.

But while Russian forces inched forward in Bakhmut — which is considered the longest and bloodiest battle in the invasion — they have not yet taken the city.

Russia has also failed to take the other two cities, though its efforts have ramped up more recently. Mariinka has been left a wasteland, with no buildings left intact.

Russia also appears to have adopted a more defensive posture in April, ahead of Ukraine's expected counteroffensive.

The UK Ministry of Defence said in late April that Russia was concentrating on preparing for Ukraine's coming efforts.

But it's not clear when those will start. Ukraine's prime minister told Sky News last week that the offensive will start at the "proper time, when it will be absolutely ready."

Ukraine's deputy defense minister predicted that when it starts "Russia will be in panic."

Read the original article on Business Insider