Nearly 80% of the territorial gains Russia claimed in 2026 turned out to be false
About 80% of the territorial gains reported by Russia’s military and political leadership since the beginning of the year do not correspond to reality due to the “culture of lies” entrenched in the Russian army.
Since the beginning of 2026, Russian troops have seized about 650 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory, which is nearly 80% less than Vladimir Putin’s public claims of the alleged “liberation” of more than 3,200 square kilometers.
According to estimates by OSINT analyst Clément Molen, the Russian army’s rate of advance has slowed significantly: during the same period in 2025, the occupiers seized 3,146 square kilometers, and in 2024—1,907 square kilometers. Currently, Moscow’s official claims regarding control over territories exceed the estimates of pro-Russian analysts by 3,000 square kilometers and Ukrainian data by 5,000 square kilometers. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) emphasizes that systematic disinformation from the military command creates a fictional reality on which the Kremlin leader bases his negotiating position regarding Ukraine.
This was reported by OSINT analyst Clément Molen and the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Andriy Biletsky, commander of the Third Army Corps, recorded a video address directly from Svyatogorsk. He stated that the city remains under the control of the Ukrainian military, thereby refuting Putin’s claims about the alleged capture of the town.
Russia has included Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, and Svyatogorsk in its electoral district for the State Duma elections. These Ukrainian cities, which Russia does not control, have been incorporated into the Horlivka single-member constituency No. 15.
