Ukraine Dismisses Russia’s Latest Claimed Territorial Advances as ‘An Illusion’

By Reuters Oct. 17, 2026 A Ukrainian artilleryman sets up Starlink satellite internet system near the front line in the eastern Donetsk region. Reuters Ukraine on Saturday rejected Russia's claim to have captured more than 1,800 square kilometers (695 square miles) of Ukrainian territory and nearly 100 settlements, including the eastern town of Dobropillia, since the beginning of September. On Friday, the chief of Russia's General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, told President Vladimir Putin that Russian forces had captured 92 Ukrainian settlements and made significant territorial gains since last month. Ukraine's General Staff spokesman, Andriy Kovaliov, dismissed the claims. "In fact, through their active operations, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have liberated more territory since the beginning of the fall than the enemy has managed to capture," he said in an emailed statement. "The Russian military leadership continues to create an illusion of major victories for its political leadership and domestic audience," Kovaliov added. Russia's advances along the front line have slowed this year. Still, its forces have been bearing down on the so-called "fortress belt" cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, the capture of which would bring Russia closer to its goal of seizing the entire Donetsk region. Kovaliov also rejected Gerasimov's claims that Russian troops had reached the outskirts of Kramatorsk and were advancing in the suburbs of Sloviansk. He said Dobropillia, southwest of the two cities, remained under Ukrainian control despite sustained Russian attacks. Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield claims. With many front lines largely static across a deadly "kill zone," both sides have intensified their air campaigns in recent months. Russia fired hundreds of ballistic missiles over the summer and early fall, and it is widely expected to target critical infrastructure, including heating and power sites, into the winter. Ukraine, which has a far smaller missile arsenal, has launched hundreds of long-range drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, ships and commercial sites. Read more about: Ukraine war Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more News Analysis U.S., Ukraine and Russia Soften Positions Ahead of Mooted Ceasefire Talks The maximalist positions that all parties to the war have until now held appear to be shifting. 5 Min read opinion Boris Bondarev Here's What Putin's Peace Talks Playbook Looks Like The prospect that Ukraine and its allies could emerge from the war in a stronger position is alien to the Kremlin's thinking. 6 Min read Russian Army Increasingly Killing Captured Ukrainian Soldiers, UN Says The UN also said it recorded one execution of a “wounded and incapacitated” Russian soldier by Ukraine’s armed forces last year. 1 Min read Deputy Governor of Russia’s Primorye Region Killed in Kursk Sergei Yefremov was leading a volunteer military battalion in the Kursk region when he was reportedly killed by a landmine. 1 Min read