Ukraine War After Four Years: Russia’s Gains Small, Kyiv Resilient

Published: 24 February 2026

The English Chronicle Desk

The English Chronicle Online

As the full‑scale invasion of Ukraine enters its fourth anniversary, the conflict continues to defy expectations of a swift Russian victory. Despite nearly four years of intense fighting and massive military expenditures on both sides, Russia’s territorial gains have been limited and Kyiv has repeatedly demonstrated resilience in the face of sustained aggression. Analysts say Moscow’s advances in 2025 equated to just a fraction of Ukraine’s landmass, underscoring the intensity of the stalemate and Ukraine’s capacity to defend its sovereignty.

According to defence experts, Russian forces captured only around 1,865 square miles of additional Ukrainian territory in 2025 — roughly 0.8 percent of Ukraine’s total area — reflecting the slow, incremental nature of Moscow’s ground offensives. This contrasts with the early phase of the war in 2022, when Russian troops initially seized large swaths of territory before Ukrainian counteroffensives reclaimed significant ground later that year.

International military analyses show that the rate of Russian advance has slowed to tens of metres per day in some sectors, such as Pokrovsk and Kupiansk, while Ukrainian forces have mounted counterattacks to reclaim territory in Zaporizhzhia and other regions. NATO assessments indicate Russian forces are unlikely to achieve large‑scale territorial breakthroughs in the near term without incurring prohibitive casualties and force mobilization, which could carry political risks for Moscow.

Ukrainian leadership and armed forces have emphasized both endurance on the battlefield and strategic adaptation. Kyiv’s counteroffensives, including small but meaningful gains in recent months, along with defensive innovations such as increased use of drones and electronic warfare systems, illustrate a capacity to sustain operations under extreme conditions. Western military support — including arms supplies and intelligence sharing — has continued, although the pace and volume of aid have fluctuated in response to political developments among Ukraine’s partners.

The human and material cost of the conflict has been immense. Independent tracking suggests that both sides have suffered heavy casualties, while civilian populations endure disrupted utilities, damaged infrastructure, and displacement. Despite these hardships, Ukrainian officials and international observers highlight a strong national will to resist and rebuild, reflecting social cohesion and political determination even as economic and reconstruction needs escalate.

Diplomatic efforts to achieve a negotiated end to the war remain stalled. Moscow’s demands that Ukraine cede control of contested regions such as Donetsk have been rejected by Kyiv, which insists on the restoration of territorial integrity. With no clear roadmap for peace, the conflict continues as a protracted war of attrition, defined by limited territorial changes but profound strategic and humanitarian consequences.

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