The war in Ukraine has reached a new stage. Russia is taking more land on the front lines. At the same time, peace talks are not moving forward. Russia’s recent successes are changing the situation. Western countries are worried, and Russia is now in a stronger position. Diplomacy seems harder to achieve.
Rapid Gains: Moscow’s Fastest Territorial Expansion Since the Invasion
Reports show that Russian forces under Vladimir Putin are advancing quickly. This is one of the largest territorial gains since the war started. The U.S. think tank, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), says Russian troops are moving faster and achieving more success.
Russia reportedly captured 200 square miles of Ukrainian land in November 2025. This is more than double the land taken in the previous month. Other reports, like AFP using ISW data, say Russia gained over 270 square miles (701 square kilometers) in November. This is the second-largest monthly gain since the war began. The fast progress shows that Russia is gaining momentum, especially in eastern and southern Ukraine.
The Diplomatic Deadlock: Peace Talks and Geopolitical Manoeuvring
These Russian advances are happening while peace talks are stalled. The main problem is the status of the land Russia occupies. Recent efforts, including those by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s team, have not worked.
One peace proposal suggested Ukraine give up large areas of land to Russia. Kyiv and many European leaders rejected this. They fear giving land to Russia will encourage more attacks, similar to past appeasement strategies.
Kyiv’s Stance
Ukraine wants all its land back, including Crimea. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says a fair peace means respecting Ukraine’s full rights. Ukraine refuses to give up any land.
Moscow’s Stance
President Putin and other Russian officials want Ukraine to officially recognize all Russian annexations, including Crimea and other occupied regions. They also want Ukraine to stop trying to join NATO. Russia sees its military actions as a way to reach these goals.
Experts say Russia’s success on the battlefield makes peace talks harder. By gaining land, Russia can demand a ceasefire that favors them.
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Status of Russian-Occupied Regions in Ukraine
Since 2014, Russia has taken control of a large part of Ukraine, including Crimea. Now, Russia controls about 19–20% of Ukraine.
Some key areas under Russian control are:
| Region (Oblast) | Approx. % Under Russian Control | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Luhansk | Almost all (99%) | Important part of Donbas industrial area |
| Donetsk | Over 80% | Center of heavy fighting and Russian advances |
| Zaporizhzhia | Around 75% | Contains Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant |
| Kherson | Around 75% | Controls land to Crimea and Black Sea coast |
| Other Areas | Parts of Kharkiv, Sumy, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk | Near front lines and borders |
Millions of people in these areas have been displaced. Russia is focused on taking the rest of Donetsk. Russian officials have said they are ready to take it “by force” if needed.
The Path Forward: Escalation or a Forced Settlement?
Right now, Russia’s military success makes diplomacy harder. Russia feels less pressure to negotiate. For Ukraine, accepting Russia’s land grabs is not an option.
The international community, including the U.S. and European countries, needs to balance diplomacy with military and economic pressure on Russia. Without changes on the battlefield or in Russia’s demands, the war is likely to continue. The occupied regions will remain under Russian control, and the conflict in eastern Ukraine will keep going.
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources, including the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and various international news outlets. Readers should cross-check updates from official news outlets for the most current developments.