Ukrainian recruits near Kharkiv train for the front.Image: AP
May 18, 2026, 3:00 p.mMay 18, 2026, 3:16 p.m
Ukraine may inflict sustained territorial losses on Russia for the first time since October 2023. This reports The Economist. While the death toll among Russian soldiers remains high, this could mark a turning point in the Ukraine war.
In 2026, the Russian army captured 220 square kilometers, which is 0.04 percent of Ukraine’s total area. According to a 30-day average, Ukraine has recaptured around 189 square kilometers, writes “The Economist”. Russia may remain on the verge of a summer offensive, or the momentum may shift to Ukraine’s side.
High number of casualties
Between the beginning of the war and May 12, between 280,000 and 518,000 Russian soldiers died, estimates “The Economist”. Together with the wounded, 1.1 to 1.5 million soldiers, this corresponds to about three percent of the male Russian population of military seniority. According to the think tank “CSIS”, Ukraine has suffered up to 600,000 losses. Between 100,000 and 140,000 soldiers have already lost their lives in the war.
Despite the high number of wounded and killed soldiers in the Ukrainian war, the territorial gains and losses are very low. Ukrainian drones spot troop movements far behind the front line and can thus target the supply of Russian troops. (Nile)