In the first 6 months of 2024, the Russian army has captured more territory than Ukraine liberated last year – Financial Times

In the first half of 2024, the Russian army has captured more territory (592 square kilometers) than the Ukrainian Armed Forces managed to liberate during the failed counteroffensive of 2023 (321 square kilometers).

This was reported by the Financial Times.

“Our defense is cracking,” a senior Ukrainian official told the publication.

According to him, this is currently only a “tactical success,” but Russia intends to continue advancing.

Ukrainian officials believe that Putin’s main goal on the battlefield this year is to capture as much territory as possible. However, some remain optimistic, believing that the Russian offensive will slow as it approaches larger cities, where the Ukrainian defense is stronger.

Analysts note that in the past month, the Russians have managed to seize “several key positions and terrain features,” with the situation for Ukrainians in these areas steadily worsening.

The main reason for this trend is cited as a personnel shortage in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Additionally, the Russians have been able to exploit “misunderstandings among Ukrainians and inept troop rotations,” particularly in the Pokrovsk and Toretsk areas.

The Financial Times points out that “support for the idea of ending the war through negotiations is growing among the Ukrainian public,” and provides data from relevant surveys.