The estimates do not refer to the early phase of the invasion, when the front line changed rapidly, but to the later stages of the war, when the fighting area was partially “frozen”. According to ISW data, by the end of November Russia controlled 19.3 percent. territory of Ukraine. Before the full invasion in February 2022, Russia controlled about 7 percent. Ukrainian territory – including occupied Crimea and part of Donbas.
Since the beginning of 2025, Russia has occupied almost 5,400 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory – almost 2,000 square kilometers more than in the same period last year. However, progress has slowed in eastern Ukraine, in the Donbass region, which is the center of intense fighting.
In November 2025, Moscow gained approximately 130 square kilometers in Donbas – approximately half of the average monthly increase in territory recorded earlier this year.
Moreover, the Russians exaggerate their achievements by providing, according to the Ukrainian authorities, false information about changes on the front line.
Ukraine denies the Russians' claims
Kiev has denied Russian claims on November 21 about the capture of the settlements of Stavky and Novoselivka near Lyman in eastern Ukraine, calling the statements staged propaganda. According to Ukrainians, heavy fighting is still ongoing in the region.
On December 1, the Third Ukrainian Army Corps questioned the Russian statement, calling it “another manipulation of information.”
The Ukrainian army said Russian units were still using “old tactics”, sending small groups into areas not controlled by Moscow to shoot staged videos of Russian flags. This allows the Kremlin to claim that the settlements have been captured.
Meanwhile, according to Kiev, all such Russian groups are being eliminated by Ukrainian forces. “They report fictitious achievements to please their superiors,” Ukrainians commented on the Russians' actions.
In November, Russian forces intensified their offensive in the Lyman sector. They used large groups of infantry and armored vehicles to break through the Ukrainian defenses, enter the city and reach the railway station.
On Monday morning, December 1, in a statement, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that over the last 24 hours, Russian forces carried out 11 attacks in the Lyman sector. In an update published at 16:25 the headquarters reported that fighting in this sector was still ongoing. “The enemy carried out 16 attacks today towards Łymań […] There are currently three fights going on,” he said.
Dmytro Rogozyuk, commander of Ukraine's 60th Separate Mechanized Brigade, said Kiev's forces were holding the front line and rejected Russian claims of capturing the areas.
“The 60th Separate Mechanized Brigade, together with neighboring units, continues to firmly hold the front line in the Donetsk region. There are no grounds to announce the occupation of the Stavky and Novoselivka settlements,” he said.
Ukrainian soldiers (illustrative photo)Serhii Prokopenko/Gwara Media/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images / Contributor / Getty Images
Moscow gains a foothold in southern Ukraine
Russia currently controls over 81 percent. Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast and is advancing towards Pokrovsk – a key logistics center whose fall would seriously weaken Ukrainian defense.
Russia's biggest gains in November were in Zaporozhye (southern Ukraine). Putin's soldiers have moved the front line there by 272 square kilometers – the same amount as in the last four months combined. Russian forces in the Dnipropetrovsk region they conquered almost 200 square kilometers.
Last week, Vladimir Putin reiterated that any peace agreement would require Ukraine to give up territories, including areas not currently occupied by Moscow.
