Part 3/12:
Yet, independent assessments and Ukrainian officials present a starkly contrasting reality. Experts and military analysts warn that these claims are grossly inflated—akin to "cooking the books." Evidence indicates that Russia's actual territorial gains are far more modest, with many of its advances either stalled or reversed. The only noteworthy success cited was the small town of Chessar in the east, which was captured after devastating fighting that left much of it in ruins.
Furthermore, Ukraine has regained control of several villages in the east, effectively pushing back Russian efforts toward strategic supply lines. These gains, while seemingly minor in scale, carry immense symbolic weight—they demonstrate Ukraine's resilience and capacity to seize momentum even when on the defensive.