While the world’s attention shifts between global summits and political deadlocks over military aid, Russia has been steadily expanding its control over Ukrainian territory — and the scale of their advance this year alone is raising eyebrows.
Russian Forces Take Territory the Size of Luxembourg
According to Julian Röpcke, a military analyst and journalist at Bild, Russian troops have seized around 2,395 square kilometers of Ukrainian land since the beginning of 2025.
To put that into perspective, that’s nearly the same size as the entire country of Luxembourg, which spans 2,586 square kilometers.
Röpcke also pointed out that this newly occupied area is comparable to the German state of Saarland, which is just a bit larger at 2,569 square kilometers.
These comparisons paint a stark picture of how much territory is slipping from Ukrainian control while Western allies continue to debate military strategies and funding.
Political Disputes Stall Help as Frontline Shifts
The situation on the battlefield is becoming increasingly dire, especially in the east, as Ukraine finds itself stuck in diplomatic back-and-forths with Washington and Berlin.
The delays in delivering advanced air defense systems and long-range weaponry have left Ukrainian forces vulnerable in key regions.
Röpcke emphasized that while Kyiv is caught up trying to secure critical aid, Moscow is pushing forward — undeterred.
Russian Breakthroughs Continue in Dnipropetrovsk
Reports from Ukrainian military analytics platform DeepState confirm that Russian troops have made fresh breakthroughs in the Dnipropetrovsk region, breaching defenses at two more strategic points.
They’ve even reached the village of Yablonivka, not far from the town of Kostiantynivka, further solidifying their advance on the eastern front.
These developments suggest that Russia is not only maintaining momentum but expanding it, deepening Ukraine’s military challenges as support from Western allies remains slow and fragmented.
Context Behind the Luxembourg Comparison
Luxembourg — officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg — may be small in size, but it’s a key European nation.
Located in Western Europe, it borders Belgium, Germany, and France, and its capital, Luxembourg City, is home to several top EU institutions, including the European Court of Justice.
Comparing the captured Ukrainian land to a whole European country underscores the seriousness of Russia’s territorial gains this year — a reminder of how quickly control can shift in this prolonged conflict.