Russia says it has seized 1,800 sq km since September; Ukraine dismisses claim as an "illusion"

Russian Chief of the General Staff Gerasimov reported to Putin on October 16 that Russian forces have since September 1 captured 92 settlements and more than 1,800 square kilometers of land, including in the Dobropillia direction. Ukrainian General Staff spokesperson Kovalyov on October 17 dismissed the claim as an "illusion," saying Dobropillia remains under Ukrainian control and that since the start of autumn the Ukrainian military has retaken more territory than Russian forces have occupied. ISW assesses that over the same period Russian forces actually suffered a net loss of 122 square kilometers, and Reuters said it could not independently verify the claims of either side.