Russian Army's Advance in Ukraine Slows: DeepState Data Analysis

In January, the advance of the Russian army in Ukraine slowed to the pace observed before the incursion of Ukrainian forces into the Kursk region, as reported by NewsBox.  

In January 2025, the Russian army made progress in Ukraine over an area of just 270 square kilometers, marking the lowest since July 2024. This data is provided by the Ukrainian OSINT project DeepState. Of the captured territory, about 200 square kilometers were in the areas of Pokrovsk, Kurakhovo, and Velyka Novoselivka, while the remaining 60 square kilometers were around Toretsk and Chasiv Yar.

The slower pace of advance has been attributed to a focus on one direction — Velyka Novoselivka, where after three months of intense fighting, a major portion of the section was quickly captured. Analysts note that such operations typically involve extended advances followed by rapid capture of strategic positions.

Experts link the reduced pace to shortages in personnel, armored vehicles, and the complexity of tasks at the front lines, especially in areas with dense urban development. On the Pokrovsk front, the Russian army faces the challenge of encircling a large urban area, which significantly slows their advance.

The situation in the Kursk region is similar: in January, Russia regained control over just 33.3 square kilometers, compared to up to 216 square kilometers in previous months. It is expected that significant changes on the front might not happen until the following month, especially in the areas of Toretsk and Chasiv Yar, where active fighting is ongoing.