RUSSIA SUFFERS NET LOSS OF 69 SQUARE MILES IN PAST MONTH AS DRONE WAR HITS NEW RECORDS

Russian forces suffered a net loss of 69 square miles of Ukrainian territory over the past month (April 21 to May 19), according to data compiled by Russia Matters. In the most recent week alone (May 12-19), Russia lost a net 29 square miles — a sign that Ukrainian forces are making consistent, if gradual, gains.

At the same time, Russia has dramatically escalated its drone campaign. On May 21, Russian forces launched 8,902 kamikaze drones in a single day, a record figure, bringing the monthly drone total to a new all-time high. A single day also saw more than 233 recorded combat engagements, underlining the intensity of fighting along the front.

Despite the recent Ukrainian gains, the longer-term picture remains mixed for Kyiv. Over the past twelve months (May 2025 to May 2026), Russia has achieved a net territorial gain of approximately 1,585 square miles — roughly 0.7 percent of Ukraine's total land area — according to Russia Matters' annual war report card.

In a sign of growing war fatigue on both sides, separate polling cited by EMPR.media shows that 62 percent of Russians and 61 percent of Ukrainians now say they support peace negotiations that would involve some form of territorial compromise. The convergence in public sentiment on both sides marks a notable shift, though no formal negotiations are currently underway.

May 23, 2026

Sources: Russia Matters war report card, EMPR.media