As global leaders stay caught up in summit speeches, budget showdowns, and military aid negotiations, something significant is happening on the ground in Ukraine — and it’s slipping past most headlines.
While talks drag on in Washington and Berlin, Russia has quietly but aggressively seized a massive amount of Ukrainian territory in 2025 — and the scale might surprise you.
Russian Forces Grab Land the Size of an Entire Country
According to military journalist Julian Röpcke from Germany’s Bild, Russian troops have taken control of approximately 2,395 square kilometers of Ukrainian land since the start of this year.
That number might seem abstract — until you realize it’s almost the exact size of Luxembourg, a whole European nation.
If you prefer another comparison, think of Saarland, a German state that’s slightly bigger.
Either way, the takeaway is clear: this isn’t just a few villages or small outposts — it’s a massive shift in control that’s going largely unnoticed amid the diplomatic noise.
As Ukraine Waits, Russia Advances
While Ukrainian officials push for more support — especially long-range missiles and advanced air defense systems — from allies in the West, progress on the battlefield is not waiting.
Political infighting and red tape in Washington and Berlin are creating delays that are costing Ukraine both time and ground.
Julian Röpcke didn’t mince words: while Kyiv waits, Moscow is moving — and moving fast.
Fresh Breakthroughs in the Dnipropetrovsk Region
More troubling news has come from the Dnipropetrovsk region, where Russian forces have reportedly broken through Ukrainian defenses in two additional locations.
According to the DeepState military tracking platform, Russian troops have even pushed as far as Yablonivka, edging closer to the town of Kostiantynivka.
These aren’t isolated skirmishes — they’re tactical moves in a wider campaign.
And they’re happening at a time when Ukraine’s military desperately needs backup.
Why the Luxembourg Comparison Hits Hard
So why compare Russia’s gains to Luxembourg, of all places? It’s not just about size — it’s about symbolism.
Luxembourg, though small, is a core European country, home to important institutions like the European Court of Justice.
It’s nestled between France, Belgium, and Germany, and plays a significant role in EU politics.
By showing that Russia has taken an area equal in size to an entire EU member state, the message becomes harder to ignore: this is a massive, strategic loss — and it’s still unfolding.
What This Means for the War Going Forward
Russia’s gains this year reveal a shift in momentum that’s becoming harder to reverse.
With Western support moving at a crawl and battlefield challenges mounting, Ukraine is under pressure like never before.
Unless the current political deadlock breaks soon, Ukraine could see even more territory slip away — piece by piece — while the rest of the world argues over spreadsheets and defense contracts.