Ukraine wipes out entire month of Russian gains in just FIVE DAYS - fastest pace in nearly three years of fighting

This is based on a recent analysis of data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The surge in gains followed Elon Musk's Starlink locking out illegal Russian users, hampering Moscow's military communications.

Nearly 90 per cent of Russian units were said to lose connectivity after the satellite internet's network was restricted to verified Ukrainian users.

The ISW said Ukrainians were "likely leveraging the recent block on Russian forces’ access to Starlink, which Russian milbloggers have claimed is causing communications and command and control issues on the battlefield".

It is thought to be the most land retaken by Kyiv in such a narrow window since June 2023.

The gains are focused around 50 miles east of Zaporizhzhia in southeastern Ukraine, where Russian forces have steadily gained ground since the summer of 2025.

US military analyst David Axe said the limited communications allowed Ukraine troops to advance forward in armoured vehicles, which would have usually been vulnerable to drone strikes and first-person view loitering munitions.

Despite their success, some analysts have cautioned against seeing this as an indicator that Ukraine has taken permanent advantage.

Independent open-source intelligence organisation DeepState reported that Ukrainian troops had made gains in Huliaipole and surrounding areas, but warned the front is fluid.

The "grey-zone" between Russia and Ukraine is hotly-contested, with both sides making small advances which can be hard to map.

Ukraine often positions its logistics and troops six to 12 miles behind the front, while Russia sends troops forwards to harass and infiltrate Ukrainian positions.

"The result of this situation is that the grey zone and Russian forward positions are not consolidated, which occasionally allows the Ukrainians, as is currently the case, to push forward and regain ground," said French military analyst Clement Molin.

The advance comes amid trilateral peace talks, brokered by the US but held in Geneva, Switzerland.

This is the first time the peace talks have been held in Europe, a move pushed for by the US after previous peace talks in Abu Dhabi.

The US is represented by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, with Russia replacing Igor Kostyukov, the director of Russia’s military intelligence organisation GRU, with Vladimir Medinsky.

Mr Trump said before talks that Ukraine "better come to the table fast".

Moscow, however, has insisted that Kyiv cede the portion of the eastern Donetsk territory to Russia.

Mr Medinsky said last year that Russia would be willing to "forever" to achieve its territorial goals.

Just before the peace talks began, Russia hit 12 regions with 400 drones and almost 30 missiles, killing at least three people, according to Ukrainian officials.