According to data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces made their largest territorial advance in Ukraine in a year during November. Over the month, Russia seized approximately 701 square kilometres of territory, the second-largest territorial advance of the war after November 2024.
By the end of November, ISW data showed that Russia fully or partially controlled around 19.3% of Ukrainian territory. This figure includes areas whose control is recognised by Kyiv and military analysts, as well as regions claimed by Moscow. Prior to February 2022, Russia controlled roughly 7% of Ukraine, including Crimea and parts of the Donbas.
The November advances come as the month has also seen a diplomatic push to end the conflict, with the U.S. negotiating with both countries.
Since the beginning of 2025, Russian troops have captured nearly 5,400 square kilometres, about 2,000 more than during the same period the previous year. However, the pace of advances has not been uniform. In Donetsk–the main battleground of the war–Russian progress slowed in November, with gains of about 130 square kilometres.Moscow now controls more than 81% of the region and continues to fight for the strategically important city of Pokrovsk.
In contrast, the southern regions saw greater movement. In Zaporizhzhia, Russian forces advanced by 272 square kilometres—equivalent to the previous four months combined—while in Dnipropetrovsk they seized nearly 200 square kilometres.
