Kyiv: Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi claimed that more than 600 square kilometers (231.6 square miles) of territory were retaken by his country from Russian control since the start of the current year.

According to Anadolu Agency, Syrskyi stated in a Telegram message that Ukrainian forces continue to maintain the initiative on certain front lines and have recaptured almost 100 square kilometers (38.6 square miles) more of territory this month than they had lost. However, he did not specify which parts of the front line had seen these advances.

Syrskyi noted that Russia continued its efforts to advance in Ukraine’s east and south, with a significant increase in clashes. He identified the Pokrovsk, Oleksandrivka, and Huliaipole fronts as the areas experiencing the most intense battles.

In late May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had claimed in a video address that 590 square kilometers (227.8 square miles) of territory had been recaptured from Russian control since the start of 2026. Zelenskyy argued that this trend is not in Russia’s favor and emphasized the increasing rate of Russian personnel losses, combined with sanctions, is pushing Russia toward diplomacy.

Russian authorities have not yet commented on Ukraine’s claims, and independent verification of these claims remains challenging due to the ongoing conflict.