Russia’s land gains in Ukraine dwindle as its diesel reportedly goes unsold

Russian forces captured just 117.38 square kilometres in Ukraine during the first 10 months of 2026, according to the Institute for the Study of War, compared with 5,304 square kilometres in 2025 and 3,604 in 2024. Their average daily advance fell to 0.38 square kilometres this year. Ukraine’s General Staff estimates that 381,300 Russian personnel were killed or seriously wounded from January through October, including an estimated 54,400 losses in October—more than Russia’s monthly recruitment capacity, estimated at 24,000 to 30,000. Al Jazeera says it cannot independently verify casualty claims by either side.