Report as of August 21, 2025
This information is not widely covered in mainstream news and requires deeper investigation, but these are the facts: Russia is advancing every day in eastern and southern Ukraine.
Many smaller towns in the occupied eastern regions—such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts—have been under Russian control for an extended period. In these areas, Russia is actively working to “Russify” the population by replacing Ukrainian passports with Russian ones, overhauling local administrative systems, enforcing Russian language and culture, and suppressing Ukrainian identity.
At the same time, larger cities including Kharkiv, Poltava, Dnipro, and Zaporizhzhia, while still controlled by Ukraine, face a gradual siege and encirclement by Russian forces. The Russian military applies constant pressure, isolating these cities by cutting off supply lines and tightening control over surrounding areas to squeeze Ukrainian defenders.
In southern Ukraine, including Crimea, Russia maintains firm control. Crimea, annexed in 2014, remains a critical strategic base for Moscow’s operations in the region.
Russia’s military campaign follows a pattern of slow but persistent advances—surrounding and cutting off urban centers while consolidating control over adjacent smaller towns. This dual strategy has resulted in a complex and fluid frontline, with Russian forces tightening their grip day by day.
Thus, many smaller towns are already integrated under Russian control, key cities in eastern and southern Ukraine face increasing pressure and siege, and Crimea remains firmly held by Russia.
Peace negotiations are imperative. Russia is engaged in a war driven by Irredentism, and it is gradually succeeding. Without timely peace, this conflict could drag on for another decade, by which time much of southern and eastern Ukraine is likely to become part of Russia. Though contested by Ukraine, these regions are being progressively Russified and absorbed.
Here are key cities under over 70% Russian control in southern and eastern Ukraine, excluding Crimea:
Southern Ukraine
Berdiansk (Zaporizhzhia Oblast) — fully controlled by Russia
Melitopol (Zaporizhzhia Oblast) — fully controlled by Russia
Enerhodar (Zaporizhzhia Oblast, home to the nuclear power plant) — fully controlled by Russia
Approximately 74% of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Oblasts are under Russian control, mostly rural areas and small towns, although some critical cities like Kherson have been recaptured by Ukraine.
Eastern Ukraine
In Donetsk Oblast, Russia controls about 70-88% of the territory, including:
Donetsk (regional capital)
Mariupol (after a prolonged siege)
Most of Horlivka and Kalmiuske raions
Large parts of Volnovakha and Bakhmut raions (some areas remain contested)
In Luhansk Oblast, Russia claims nearly full control (about 98.5%), including:
Luhansk (regional capital)
Alchevsk
Most raions such as Svatove and Sievierodonetsk
In conclusion, numerous key cities in the south and east fall under firm Russian control, representing over 70% of their respective oblasts. While frontlines are dynamic in some contested zones, major urban centers are securely controlled by Russia, underscoring the urgency for diplomatic resolution.