Moscow (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On Saturday, Russian authorities announced the capture of three villages in eastern Ukraine, as their forces steadily advance through Ukrainian defences amid costly battles.
According to reports, Russian forces are gradually advancing in intense, close-quarters battles across heavily damaged areas in eastern Ukraine, where few inhabitants and intact buildings remain.
Moscow’s army announced that the villages of Derylove and Maiske were captured in the Donetsk region, while Stepove was taken in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Moreover, Ukraine reported that a Russian barrage overnight resulted in one death and 12 injuries in the southeastern Kherson region, while also damaging railways in the nearby Odesa region. Russia announced that an oil pumping station in the Chuvashia republic halted operations following a Ukrainian drone strike deep behind the front lines.
How often does Moscow announce territorial gains in Ukraine?
The Russian Defence Ministry frequently reported capturing settlements near frontlines to consolidate control and support advances toward larger cities.
For instance, in July 2025, Russia announced the capture of three villages in separate locations: Kamianske in southeastern Zaporizhzhia, Dehtiarny in Kharkiv, and Popivar in Donetsk. Kamianske was reportedly a major strategic location, but it sustained extensive damage as a result of the fighting.
Moreover, in August 2025, Russia took two villages in the Donetsk Oblast: Popiv Yar, to the southwest side of the town of Dobropillia, and Ivano-Darivka, to the northeast side of the town of Sloviansk, during a period of ongoing offensives.
How much Ukrainian territory does Russia control as of now?
According to unconfirmed reports, as of September 2025, Russia controls around 18-20% of Ukrainian territory. This includes all of the annexed territory of Crimea that was taken by Russia in 2014 and large sections of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts. The total area that Russia controls is around 161,000 square kilometres, but this fluctuates due to ongoing fighting, with Ukrainian forces retaking portions of territory over time.
