Russia scores highest Ukraine gains since first year of warListen to this articleMoscow has continued its aerial barrage of Ukraine. (Photo: AFP)KYIV (UKRAINE) - Russia's battlefield gains in Ukraine last year were the highest since 2022, an AFP analysis showed, as Kyiv was set to host security advisors from allied states on Saturday despite Moscow's unrelenting strikes. This includes areas that Kyiv and military analysts say are controlled by Russia, as well as those claimed by Moscow's army. Budanov has built up a legendary reputation in Ukraine, credited with a series of daring operations against Russia. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, describing it as a "special military operation" to prevent the expansion of the NATO alliance -- a war aim that Kyiv has called a lie.

Source: Bangkok Post January 02, 2026 22:44 UTC