Putin says Russia controls nearly 5,000 square kilometers more in Ukraine

Moscow [Russia], October 8: President Vladimir Putin has announced the areas Russia has taken control of in Ukraine this year, despite Ukraine's previous assertions that recent enemy attacks have failed.
Reuters on October 8 quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin as saying that his country's forces have gained control of nearly 5,000 square kilometers of additional territory in Ukraine this year and still maintain complete strategic initiative on the battlefield.
The areas controlled by Russia in 2025 are equivalent to nearly 1% of Ukraine's territory, bringing the total area controlled by the country to nearly 20%.
Speaking at a meeting with senior Russian military commanders in Saint Petersburg on his 73rd birthday (October 7), President Putin said Ukrainian forces were retreating on all fronts. He said Ukraine was trying to attack deep into Russian territory, but that would not change the course of the war that has lasted more than 3.5 years.
"Today, the Russian armed forces fully hold the strategic initiative. This year, we have taken control of almost 5,000 square kilometers of territory - to be exact, 4,900 square kilometers - and 212 settlements," according to the leader.
Ukraine did not immediately comment on the statement. The Ukrainian military said in August that recent Russian attacks had failed and that Russian forces had not taken control of any major Ukrainian cities this year.
According to Ukrainian sources, the country's forces have made some gains in the Donetsk region, especially around the town of Dobropillia, near the important logistics center of Pokrovsk. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also said that the Ukrainian army had retaken some areas in the border region of Sumy, where Russian forces had previously established a foothold.
During the meeting, Russian General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov said his country's forces were "advancing in almost all directions." He said the Ukrainian military was focused on slowing down Russia's advance.
According to Mr. Gerasimov, the fiercest fighting is taking place in Pokrovsk and areas towards the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Also at the meeting, President Putin said Russia's goals remain the same as when he launched the special military operation in February 2022, saying the operation aimed at "demilitarizing and de-fascizing" the neighboring country.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper