Ukraine pushed Russia back in May for second month running, ISW finds
Ukraine recaptured more territory than it lost to Russian forces in May, according to ISW data. The institute says counterattacks and long-range strikes helped slow Russia's advance in eastern Ukraine.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
France 24 reports that Ukraine made net territorial gains in May for a second straight month, based on Institute for the Study of War data. The piece says tactical counterattacks and expanded missile and drone strikes inside Russia have helped blunt pressure on the front in eastern Ukraine.
A report says Ukraine won back a bit more land in May than it lost, for the second month in a row. It is like a tug-of-war where one side starts pulling the rope back a little, even though the fight is still going on.
Analysis
What the article says
France 24 says new data from the Institute for the Study of War shows Ukraine recaptured more territory in May than it lost to Russian forces, marking the second month in a row that Kyiv ended the month ahead on territorial change.
The article centers on comments from Christina Harward, ISW's Russia Deputy Team Lead, in an interview with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen. She says successful tactical counterattacks have helped Ukraine slow Russia's advance in eastern Ukraine. She also points to a ramp-up in long-range missile and drone strikes inside Russian territory as another factor shaping the battlefield.
What can be concluded
The story does not claim a major Ukrainian breakthrough or a decisive reversal. It describes a modest but notable improvement in Ukraine's position, measured by territory gained versus territory lost over the month.
The emphasis is on two pressure points: local counterattacks on the front line and strikes deeper into Russian territory. Taken together, the article frames these as tools that are helping Ukraine disrupt Russian momentum in the east.
Limits of the report
This is a short video-led article, so it does not provide a detailed map of the fighting, exact territory figures, or broader strategic context. It mainly relays the ISW assessment and Harward's interpretation of why Russia's advance slowed.
Key points
- ISW data says Ukraine recaptured more territory than it lost in May.
- It was the second month in a row with net Ukrainian territorial gains.
- Christina Harward says tactical counterattacks helped slow Russia's advance in eastern Ukraine.
- The article also cites increased Ukrainian missile and drone strikes inside Russia.
- The piece does not give exact territory totals or a larger strategic assessment.
If the pattern continues, Ukraine could keep slowing Russia's gains while regaining some ground through local counterattacks. Continued long-range strikes may also keep pressure on Russian forces and make advances harder to sustain.
The gains described are modest, so Russia could still keep pressing in eastern Ukraine even if the pace is slower. If the counterattacks or long-range strikes lose effectiveness, the territorial balance could tilt back again.
