Maps Illustrate Ukrainian Territorial Gains in Russia’s Invasion After a Week

• Ukrainian forces have advanced miles into Russia since launching their cross-border incursion.
• The shocking invasion has seen Kyiv capture at least 1,000 square kilometers, by some estimates.
• Ukraine’s advances can be seen in maps published by the Institute for the Study of War.

Ukraine has executed one of the most daring moves of the ongoing conflict by initiating a new offensive that has led its troops to invade Russian territory. This unexpected action has left Moscow, international allies of Kyiv, and various analysts utterly surprised.

The Kremlin is now struggling to mount a response to this unprecedented incursion into the western Kursk region, which has continued for ten days. This marks the largest assault on Russian soil by a foreign adversary since World War II.

As of earlier this week, Ukraine reported that its forces had seized approximately 1,000 square kilometers (around 386 square miles) of Russian land. This area is almost equivalent to the territory that Moscow has captured in Ukraine throughout this year, and involves the acquisition of over 80 populated areas since the onset of the incursion on August 6.

Although Ukraine’s overarching strategy remains somewhat ambiguous, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hinted that this operation could play a role in future negotiations.

In his nightly address to the nation, Zelenskyy stated, “Our advance in the Kursk region is going well today — we are reaching our strategic goal. The ‘exchange fund’ for our state has also been significantly replenished.”

The rapid advances made by Ukrainian forces have been illustrated in maps released by the Institute for the Study of War, a prominent think tank. These maps showcase the territories that are believed to have been taken by Ukrainian troops and rely on credible Russian sources and other data on the ongoing situation.

These maps have shown notable territorial gains by Ukraine, yet there remains uncertainty over the exact extent of land currently under Ukrainian control amidst the ongoing complexity of war.

In the past ten days, Ukrainian forces have made remarkable progress reminiscent of their significant counteroffensive in the Kharkiv region last fall. However, sources indicate that the pace of operations has begun to slow as Ukrainian troops encounter stiffer resistance from Russian forces.

The Biden administration has indicated that the ongoing Ukrainian offensive has led to Russian President Vladimir Putin making strategic adjustments to troop deployments. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby noted that Russia has redirected certain units from their operations in Ukraine to bolster their defenses in the Kursk region.

Kirby explained to the media, “We see signs that they are trying to reinforce themselves in and around the Kursk area as a result of Ukrainian operations there. Doing that means you’re taking assets that were in one place doing one thing, and now they have to go do another.” This shift undoubtedly complicates the decision-making for Russian military leadership.

Intense fighting in the Kursk region has also led to significant civilian displacement, with over 130,000 people forced to evacuate their homes. Additionally, Ukrainian forces have reported capturing hundreds of Russian soldiers during this operation.

In a notable development, Ukrainian forces have taken control of the town of Sudzha, where they are establishing a military commandant’s office. This town, adjacent to a vital gas terminal, stands as the largest locality within Russia that has reportedly been captured by Ukrainian troops thus far.

As the conflict continues to unfold, the dynamics on the battlefield remain fluid, with both sides adjusting their strategies in response to the evolving situation.

Source: Business Insider