Tinotenda Hove -Despite widespread narratives driven by pro-Russian propaganda, Russia has not made significant territorial gains in Ukraine since the start of its full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022. The current situation on the ground reveals a much more contained conflict zone than often portrayed.

Much of the territory now under Russian control had already been occupied since 2014, following the annexation of Crimea and parts of the Donbas region. Maps illustrating the war clearly show this: areas marked in red represent land under Russian control, which includes long-held territories. The yellow areas, by contrast, highlight the substantial ground Ukrainian forces have managed to recapture since the 2022 invasion began.

This reality contrasts sharply with the narrative pushed by Russian state media, which often implies that Russian forces have advanced deep into Ukrainian territory. In truth, Ukraine’s resistance has been far more effective than anticipated, limiting Russia’s ability to expand beyond its initial zones of occupation.

The ongoing conflict remains intense and fluid, but it’s important to separate perception from fact. While the war has inflicted severe human and material costs on both sides, the idea that Russia