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Russia did not gain territory in March in its 49-month full-scale invasion of Ukraine — the first time it has failed to advance in 2 1/2 years.
Russia’s gains have been slowing since late 2025. In February, its seizure of territory in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine was challenged by Ukraine’s liberation of areas in the Zaporizhzhia region in the south.
Across all frontlines, Ukriane’s forces had a net gain of 9 square km (3.5 square miles) in March. The Russians had an overall advance of 319 square km (123 square miles) in January and 123 square km (47.5 square miles) in February, the smallest advances since April 2024.
In early February, at the urging of Ukraine Defense Secretary Mykhailo Fedorov, Elon Musk cut access to Starlink for Russian forces. The block restricted Russian communications on the frontlines, including for drone attacks, and between the frontlines and command headquarters.
The effect was compounded by the Kremlin’s attempt, out of security concerns within Russia, to restrict access to the messaging app Telegram.
Russia occupied between 19% and 20% of Ukrainian territory, but holds less area than it did in June 2022.
