The russian Ground Forces (RGF) likely seized between 450 and 500 sq km of Ukrainian territory in August 2025, a moderate decrease from the approximately 500-550 sq km taken in July 2025, and the approximately 550-600 sq km taken in June 2025. This follows month on month increases from March 2025 to June 2025, UK Defense Intelligence reports.
It is likely that counter attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the vicinity of Pokrovsk, Kupiansk and Sumy contributed to the moderate reduction in the rate of russian territorial gains in August 2025.
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The RGF continue to use modified tactics, having moved from utilising mass to achieve territorial gain, to attacking with small infantry assault groups supported by artillery, glide bombs, and unmanned aerial systems.
This has likely contributed to the reported reduction in russian monthly casualty (killed and wounded) rates, whilst high operational tempo is maintained across the front line, and steady territorial gains continue to be made.
Despite month on month decreases in russia's recorded casualty rates since March 2025, russia's significant losses continue. Russia has likely sustained approximately 300,000 casualties in the war so far in 2025, and approximately 1,080,000 casualties since launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
As Defense Express previously reported, recent observations indicate a reduction in russian military activity in the Kharkiv and Sumy regions of Ukraine as they relocate part of its ground forces to other parts of the front line. The reshuffle of troops is highly likely part of an attempt to increase pressure on priority axes, including in the Donetsk region.
Open source reporting indicates that in the last two days, Ukrainian forces successfully conducted counterattacks to the west of Kupiansk, an important logistical hub in the Kharkiv region. Albeit under Ukrainian control, this city has been facing constant attempts of encirclement by russian forces over the past month.
Read more: UK Defense Intelligence: With Unconventional Tactics, russia Aims For Key Logistical Hubs in Ukraine's East
