Russia Gained More Territory Than Ukraine Reclaimed in July

Russian forces captured more Ukrainian territory than Ukraine’s Defense Forces reclaimed in July, according to the Ukrainian open-source intelligence group DeepState.

DeepState’s map data showed Russian forces advanced by 36 square kilometers (14 square miles) during the month. However, the group said the actual increase in occupied territory could reach 88 square kilometers (34 square miles) because of delays in reporting territorial changes.

“In July, we reduced the area of occupied territories by 52 square kilometers (20 square miles),” DeepState said.

The gains remained far below Russia’s July 2025 advances, when its forces seized more than 455 square kilometers (176 square miles) of territory, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

“Continued Ukrainian counterattacks, Ukraine’s intermediate range strike campaign, and Ukrainian drone dominance continue to constrain Russia’s rate of advance and ability to field mechanized vehicles,” ISW said.

The group said the most difficult areas for Ukrainian forces remain near Rodynske, Kostiantynivka, along the state border, and in the directions of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.

“It is in these areas that the enemy has made limited but notable advances,” DeepState said.

Despite Russia’s gains in July, DeepState noted that Ukrainian forces had a more favorable territorial balance in May.

During that month, Russian forces captured about 130 square kilometers (50 square miles), while Ukraine reclaimed around 250 square kilometers (96 square miles), resulting in a net territorial advantage of about 120 square kilometers (46 square miles) for Kyiv’s forces.

Despite the gains, DeepState reiterated that Russia’s goal of capturing all of Ukraine’s Donetsk region in 2026 is unrealistic. “At the current pace, they will not have a chance even in 2027,” the group added.

Meanwhile, ISW said Russian forces suffered their highest monthly casualty rate of 2026 in July, with Ukraine’s General Staff reporting 42,860 Russian casualties. The think tank also said Russia launched a record number of missiles against Ukraine in July, firing at least 376 missiles during the month.

Ukrainian forces continued long-range strikes against Russian military, energy, and logistics targets, including oil facilities, radar systems, and infrastructure in occupied territories, despite shortages of Patriot air defense interceptors.

At least 22 people were killed as Russia and Ukraine exchanged heavy attacks on Monday, with officials on both sides reporting civilian casualties.

Russian officials said 11 people were killed in Russia, including seven people, among them three children, after drone debris fell on the resort village of Arkhipo-Osipovka in the Krasnodar region. Four others were reported killed in Russian-occupied Crimea, with additional casualties reported in the Belgorod region.