Ukraine has retaken 600 square kilometers (232 square miles) of territory from Russia this year, according to General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine's top military commander. The gains occurred primarily in the southeast regions of Oleksandrivka and Huliaipole, where fighting has been heaviest. Several retired U.S. generals and the former director of a U.S. intelligence agency told CBS News they believe Ukraine now holds the upper hand in the war.
Retired Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley, former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, stated in an email that Ukraine is operationally winning by defeating Russian objectives and preserving freedom of action. Two other retired generals agreed, emphasizing Ukraine's superior maneuvering on the front lines. Military experts attribute Ukraine's recent successes to advancements in mid-range drone strike capabilities, particularly First Person View (FPV) drones, which now cause more than 90% of Russian casualties, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Since 2023, Ukraine has developed an effective arsenal of short-range FPV drones. In 2024, it expanded its capabilities with long-range drones and cruise missiles, targeting military bases in St. Petersburg, over 600 miles from Ukraine's borders. Previously, Ukraine struggled to hit targets reliably between 30-60 miles, but a front-line R&D unit of the Khartiia Brigade reported in March that expanding drone ranges beyond 30 miles was a top priority. Rob Lee, a Ukraine-based military analyst and former U.S. Marine Corps officer, confirmed that Ukrainian units have largely solved this problem.
Ukraine's drone advancements have significantly impacted the war's trajectory, allowing for deeper strikes into Russian-held territory. The country's military strategy now includes mid-range surveillance and precision strikes, a capability it lacked in previous years.