Russian forces took control of 24 settlements during January 2026 in the area of what Moscow refers to as its “special military operation,” according to data released by Russia’s Ministry of Defense.
The ministry’s reports indicate that the most significant territorial advances were recorded in the Zaporizhzhia region, where units from the Eastern and Dnipro battle groups reportedly seized control of 10 settlements. These include Ternovate, Novoyakovlivka, Richne, Pryluky, Pavlivka, Zhovtneve, Bilohiria, Novoboykivske, Zelenyi, and Petrovske.
In the Donetsk People’s Republic, Russian Western and Central battle groups claimed control over six additional settlements. Meanwhile, Russian units reportedly captured four key settlements in the Kharkiv region.
Further advances were also reported in northern and central areas, with Russian forces claiming control of three settlements in the Sumy region and one settlement in the Dnipropetrovsk region, according to the same data.
Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said that during the first two weeks of January alone, Russian forces had taken control of more than 300 square kilometers of territory and secured eight settlements. He added that advances accelerated during the latter half of the month.
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The Ministry of Defense also claimed that Ukrainian forces suffered more than 38,000 casualties, including those killed and wounded, during January. The heaviest losses were reported along the front held by Russia’s Central battle group.
Independent verification of battlefield claims by either side remains difficult due to ongoing hostilities and restricted access to combat zones.
