Putin Claims New Territorial Gains in Ukraine as Russia Steps Up Attacks
Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Defense Ministry announced on October 7 and 8 new territorial claims and battlefield developments in the ongoing war against Ukraine. The statements mark another escalation in rhetoric and military action amid months of attritional warfare, heavy drone assaults, and missile barrages by both sides.
Putin, speaking during a televised address marking his 73rd birthday, asserted that Russian forces have “liberated nearly 5,000 square kilometers” of Ukrainian territory in 2025 and now hold the “complete strategic initiative” on the battlefield.
Independent military analysts, however, caution that these figures may be exaggerated, though Russia has indeed achieved incremental gains this year. Open-source intelligence group DeepState reported that Russia captured over 5,800 square kilometers between November 2022 and August 2025, but its advances have slowed significantly in recent months.
Russian Military Claims Captures in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia
The Russian Defense Ministry reported on October 8 that its forces had taken control of Fedorivka in the Donetsk region, continuing a gradual eastward push. The ministry also announced the capture of Novovasylivka in Zaporizhzhia, following last month’s claim of control over Olhivske in the same area.
Military experts note that these villages, while small, hold tactical importance as part of Russia’s strategy to pressure Ukrainian defenses and secure routes along the former Kakhovka Reservoir shoreline. If the offensive succeeds, it could threaten Ukrainian supply lines leading to the city of Zaporizhzhia, a key industrial and logistical hub in southern Ukraine.
Ukraine Pushes Back with Local Gains and Drone Strikes
Ukrainian forces have disputed Russia’s narrative of broad victory. On October 8, officials in Kyiv reported counterattacks near Dobropillia, close to the strategic town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk, claiming localized successes.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Moscow’s declarations, asserting that Ukraine continues to resist on multiple fronts and strike deep into Russian territory using long-range drones. In recent days, Ukraine has targeted oil depots and power substations, part of its campaign to disrupt Russian logistics and energy systems.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) stated in a recent assessment that Russia’s operations reflect a strategy based on attrition and endurance, betting that it can outlast Ukraine militarily and economically. The ISW warned that while Russia’s current advances appear limited, its focus on steady pressure could prove effective over time.
Global Analysts and International Context
International observers see Moscow’s announcements as both a military and political maneuver. Analysts note that Russian claims of “liberated” territory often coincide with heavy drone and missile offensives, such as those that recently caused widespread blackouts across Ukraine.
Western intelligence sources suggest that the timing of Putin’s speech is aimed at bolstering domestic morale and reinforcing the narrative of progress as Russia faces sanctions and mounting casualties.
Despite more than three years of conflict, Russia’s strategic objectives remain largely unchanged—securing control over Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, and weakening Ukraine’s Western support.
