Russian troops are making their fastest advance in Ukraine since the first days of the invasion in February 2022. Over the past month, they have captured an area equivalent to half the size of London. This is according to data from analysts and military bloggers cited by Reuters.
New territorial achievements
According to the independent Russian media group Agence, the Russian army seized 235 km² of Ukrainian territory last week, a record for 2024. In November, the occupiers advanced by 600 km², according to the DeepState platform, which works closely with the Ukrainian military and monitors changes on the front line.
The biggest gains were recorded on the eastern direction. In particular, Russian troops are moving towards the town of Kurakhove, which opens the way to the strategic hub in Pokrovsk, in an attempt to exploit the weaknesses of Ukrainian defence.
Threats to Ukraine
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) point out that the speed of Russian advance in 2024 has increased significantly. This breakthrough is partly due to tactical errors in Ukraine’s defence. At the same time, the Ukrainian General Staff reports intense fighting in the Kurakhove area – 45 clashes of various levels occurred there in the past 24 hours alone.
Ukrainian forces are facing a shortage of personnel and equipment, which makes it difficult to repel the aggressor’s more numerous forces.
Russia’s plans and Ukrainian resistance
According to The Economist, Russian troops may be preparing a large-scale offensive against Zaporizhzhia, the administrative centre of the region, which is home to Europe’s largest nuclear power plant. Ukrainian intelligence warns that Moscow could concentrate up to 130,000 soldiers for this operation.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Kremlin’s main goal is to fully occupy Donbas and push Ukrainian troops out of the Kursk border region, which it has partially controlled since August.
Zelenskyy also stressed that peace is possible only after the liberation of all occupied territories, including Crimea. At the same time, he warned that the aggressor is increasing pressure to achieve key goals by 20 January, the date of the inauguration of new US President Donald Trump, who promised to end the war through negotiations.
While the West is considering new aid packages for Ukraine, the Russian side says it will achieve all its goals regardless of the actions of Kyiv’s allies. However, experts say that new military decisions by NATO and the US could change the dynamics of the confrontation.
