PARIS: Russian forces advanced less on Ukrainian territory in February than in the preceding months, according to an AFP analysis of US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) data.
Moscow advanced by 389 square kilometers (150 square miles) in February after advances of 431 square kilometers in January and 476 square kilometers in December 2024, the data showed.
It was well below the peak of 725 square kilometers made in November, after Russian forces embarked on major advances on the front line starting in mid-2024.
The Russian army’s gains over the past year, from March 2024 to February 2025, came to 4,500 square kilometers, or 0.75 percent of Ukrainian territory as it stood before the Russian offensives including in the Crimea peninsula and the eastern Donbass region.
That is nearly 20 times more than over the previous 12 months — Russia had gained just 231 square kilometers between March 2023 and February 2024.
During that period Ukraine took 1,440 square kilometers of Russian territory, but over the past year it retook just 52 square kilometers.
In August 2024, a major Ukrainian offensive in the Kursk region saw it gain around 1,300 square kilometers in two weeks, but the Ukrainian zone of operation then was reduced month by month.
It decreased from 1,171 square kilometers in late August to 483 square kilometers by the end of last year, falling to 407 square kilometers by February 28, 2025.
AFP’s count is based on data provided on a daily basis by the ISW, which gives information provided by both sides as well as analyzes of satellite imagery.
Russian advances in Ukraine slow again in February: report
https://arab.news/gr4ek
Russian advances in Ukraine slow again in February: report
- Russian forces advanced less on Ukrainian territory in February than in the preceding months
- Moscow advanced by 389 square kilometers in February
UK Police arrest 86 people at prison protest for Palestine Action hunger striker
- Demonstration outside Wormwood Scrubs held in support of Umer Khalid
- Khalid 1 of 5 people charged in connection with break-in at RAF base last year
LONDON: A protest outside a prison in the UK in support of a man detained for supporting the banned group Palestine Action has led to the arrest of 86 people.
London’s Metropolitan Police said a group of demonstrators breached the grounds of Wormwood Scrubs prison in the capital, refused to leave when ordered to do so, and threatened officers. They were arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.
The group, several of whom attempted to gain access to the prison itself, were protesting in support of Umer Khalid, who is currently on hunger strike at the facility.
Khalid is one of five people charged in relation to a break-in by Palestine Action members at an RAF base at Brize Norton last year, in which two military aircraft were damaged.
Khalid, who denies the charges, is one of several people who are on or who have taken part in hunger strikes in recent months, all of whom have been held on similar charges for over a year without their cases being brought to trial.
A spokesperson for the UK’s Ministry of Justice said: “The escalation of the protest at HMP Wormwood Scrubs is completely unacceptable. While we support the right to peacefully protest, reports of trespassing and threats being made to staff and police officers are deeply concerning.
“At no point was prison security compromised. However, where individuals’ actions cause risk or actual harm to hardworking staff, this will not be taken lightly and those responsible can expect to face consequences.
“Prisoners are being managed in line with longstanding policy. This includes regular checks by medical professionals, heart monitoring and blood tests, and support to help them eat and drink again. If deemed appropriate by healthcare teams, prisoners will be taken to hospital.”
