No doubt Russia Took 19% of Ukraine and it’s hard to keep track. We’ve seen headlines, memes, debates—but what’s actually happened on the ground? Who’s winning? Who’s paying the highest price in lives and land? Let’s break it down in simple, real talk.
How Much Land Russia Controls Now
- About 113,900 km² of Ukraine is under Russian control—Russia Took 19% of Ukraine. (Russia Matters).
- In just the past month, they gained nearly 450 km², mainly around Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, and crucially, Kostiantynivka in Sumy Oblast (Wikipedia).
- That capture of Kostiantynivka happened on June 2–3, marking Russia’s first confirmed foothold in Sumy Oblast since early 2025 (Wikipedia).
On the flip side, Ukraine is doing hit‑and‑run near the Kursk region inside Russia, holding roughly 90 km² there (Reuters).
Death Toll: The Human Reality
Here’s what the numbers look like right now:
| Side | Military Deaths | Total Casualties | Civilians Killed (Ukraine) |
| Russia | 190,000–350,000 killed; ~1,000,000 total injuries (The Guardian) | — | — |
| Ukraine | 60,000–100,000 killed; ~400,000 total casualties | — | ~13,300 confirmed, many thousands more injured |
In June 2025 alone, 232 civilians were killed and 1,343 wounded—making it the deadliest month since the war began (Atlantic Council).- Military experts warn Russia is losing about one soldier for every nine acres it gains—emphasizing the brutal cost of each advance .
Meanwhile, troop-level casualties: Reuters notes 10,000 Russian soldiers are now in Kursk, with Ukraine actively repelling them inside Russian territory (Reuters).
What Officials & Experts Are Saying
- A UN official warned: “Civilians across Ukraine are facing levels of suffering we have not seen in over three years” (Atlantic Council).
- Former US GOP Senator Marco Rubio said over 100,000 Russian soldiers died just in 2025 alone (New York Post).
- The Economist noted Russia’s summer offensive killed 31,000 troops since May, yet only yielded 0.038 km² per soldier (Institute for the Study of War).
In high-level moves, Trump admin approved Patriot missile systems and hinted at tariffs on Russian and partner nations (Reuters).
Who’s Actually Ahead?
To be fair, it’s messy:
- Russia is inching forward, but bleeding heavily—one specialist says each 9-acre gain costs a soldier’s life .
- Ukraine hasn’t broken the frontline, but defensive tactics—like drone warfare—have slowed Russia and even allowed penetration into Kursk .
Civilians are the worst-hit, with over 40,000 casualties, nearly 13,300 killed, and millions displaced (The Guardian).
What Comes Next?
- Expect more drone and missile barrages—Russia fired 700+ drones and missiles in early July, some hitting Kyiv and Donetsk (Reuters).
- Western allies keep increasing military aid—Patriot systems are inbound, and US sanctions loom if Russia blocks peace efforts (AP News).
Russia keeps pushing east and south, aiming to seal off more of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts (Institute for the Study of War).
Quick Summary
- Russia holds ~19% of Ukrainian territory but at enormous cost.
- 190k–350k Russian troops are killed, nearly 1M casualties total.
- Ukraine lost 60k–100k soldiers and 13k+ civilians—many more wounded.
- Civilians face constant bombardment; day-to-day survival is uncertain.
Western weapons may steady Ukraine—but Russia isn’t backing down.
FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered
- How much territory does Russia control now?
They hold around 113,900 km² (19%), with recent gains near Sumy, Donetsk, Kharkiv (Wikipedia, Institute for the Study of War, Russia Matters, Reuters). - Which side has more deaths?
Russia: 190–350k killed, ~1M casualties total. Ukraine: 60–100k killed, ~400k total . - Any civilian casualties?
Yes—13,300+ killed, thousands injured; June alone saw 232 deaths and 1,343 wounded (Atlantic Council). - Did Russia invade Russia?
Ukraine claims to control about 90 km² inside Russia’s Kursk region (Wikipedia, Reuters). - Is the war bogged down or escalating?
It’s a grinding war—Russia slowly gains land, but Ukraine resists hard. Drone warfare is intensifying (The Washington Post). - What about Western weapons?
US pledged Patriot missiles, and Europe may join. Trump admin threatened tariffs if Russia stalls peace (AP News). - Are peace talks happening?
Not much—frontlines remain solid, diplomacy stalled by Russia’s continued offensive . - Is this war the worst yet?
It’s the deadliest in Europe since WWII, with casualties dwarfing all post‑war Russian conflicts combined (The Guardian). - Are civilians safe?
Sadly, nope—air attacks hit cities daily. In early July alone, at least 2 killed and dozens injured .