Territorial Occupation in Ukraine: April 2023
In April 2023, Russian forces occupied 11.9% less Ukrainian territory compared to March, even though the frequency of assaults increased by 2.2%. On average, the enemy now needs 36 assault operations to seize a single square kilometer. The Donetsk region saw the most advances, accounting for 36% of all gains—equivalent to 53 square kilometers. However, this marks a significant decline in progress on that front: April’s advances were nearly half of March’s and six and a half times lower than December’s.
Analysis of Other Frontline Areas
In the Sumy region, 30% of all advances occurred, covering 44 square kilometers. The Kharkiv region accounted for 22%, and Zaporizhzhia for 12%. According to DeepState’s analysis:
“Next comes Sumy region with a figure of 30%, which in absolute terms is 44 sq km. Kharkiv region accounted for 22%, and Zaporizhzhia for 12%.” – DeepState
Notably, the total occupied area in the Dnipropetrovsk region shrank from 105 to 98 square kilometers. Over three months, Ukraine’s Defense Forces reduced the occupation zone by 89 square kilometers, down from a peak in January when the enemy held 187 square kilometers in that region. Analysts note:
“Also, the total occupied area in Dnipropetrovsk region decreased from 105 sq km to 98 sq km. In three months, Ukraine’s Defense Forces reduced the occupation zone by 89 sq km, meaning the enemy’s peak control in January was 187 sq km.” – analysts
The Russian occupation army is now shifting to small-group tactics, complicating their assault operations across broad frontlines. For context, the city of Kostiantynivka spans 66 square kilometers. This means:
- It would take them half a month to assault just one Kostiantynivka, leaving no capacity elsewhere.
- Under current conditions, concentrating forces on such a small area is extremely difficult.
These tactical changes and the reduction in occupied territory highlight gradual progress by Ukraine’s Defense Forces, driven by both military actions and internal challenges faced by the enemy. The shift to small-group assaults may hinder Russia’s ability to control large areas, signaling potential opportunities for further liberation of Ukrainian land. This underscores the need for ongoing frontline monitoring to assess next steps in the military strategies of both sides.
As the situation on the frontlines evolves, the recent reports indicate that Ukrainian forces have successfully reclaimed significant territory in their southern offensive. This shift in momentum underscores the complexities of the ongoing conflict and highlights the resilience of Ukraine’s Defense Forces. To understand the full scope of these developments, including the details of the regained 480 square kilometers, you can read more about the latest advances in the southern region here.