Russian forces failed to gain full control of any Ukrainian city over summer, Ukraine says

Russia’s top general Valery Gerasimov said Saturday that its forces have seized over 3,500 square kilometre of Ukrainian territory since March.

By: Reuters
August 31, 2025 01:00 PM IST

1 min read

Russian Chief of General Staff Gen Valery Gerasimov speaks during a meeting with high rank officers in the area of the special military operation. (Photo: Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

Ukraine’s armed forces said on Sunday that despite Moscow’s claims of a successful summer offensive, Russian forces failed to gain full control of any major Ukrainian city and “grossly exaggerated” figures regarding captured territories.

The chief of Russia’s general staff, Valery Gerasimov, said on Saturday that since March, Russia has captured more than 3,500 square km (1,351 square miles) of territory in Ukraine and taken control of 149 villages.

“Despite Gerasimov’s claims, Russian forces have not gained full control over any major city,” the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces said in a statement on social media. “The figures presented by the occupiers regarding captured territories and settlements are grossly exaggerated.”

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