UK Intelligence reveals territory seized by Russia in Ukraine over past month
Photo: Russia seized 320 square kilometers of Ukraine in January (Getty Images)
In January 2025, Russia's territorial gains in Ukraine slowed down. Russian forces captured approximately 320 square kilometers compared to about 400 square kilometers in December 2024, the UK Ministry of Defense reports.
According to the update, Russia seized control of the stronghold of Velyka Novosilka, but advances along most of the front line have been relatively minor.
UK intelligence indicated that Russian advancements accelerated throughout 2024, with over 700 square kilometers captured in November 2024 - one of the fastest rates of advance since the early stages of the war.
In January 2025, Russia achieved only minor successes in the Kursk region. North Korean units, deployed in offensive combat operations in the area, temporarily withdrew from positions on the front line, likely to rest and refit before redeployment, according to the report.
"This is almost certainly primarily due to heavy losses sustained during attacks against Ukrainian-held positions," the UK Ministry of Defense noted.
January 2025 became the second most costly month of the war for Russia, with a total of 48,240 casualties (killed and wounded).
Russia has lost over 50,000 military personnel in 2025 and more than 830,000 since the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. UK intelligence predicts that Moscow will continue to lose more than 1,000 soldiers daily throughout February.
