Russian army chief tells Putin Moscow's troops are advancing, Ukraine is on the defensive

Gerasimov reports that Russian forces have captured 6,640 square kilometres (2,563 square miles) of territory in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with journalists as he attends the VTB Investment Forum "Russia Calling!" in Moscow, Russia, Dec 2, 2025. Sergei Ilnitsky/Pool via REUTERS

General Valery Gerasimov, the chief of Russia's General Staff, said on Monday that Moscow's forces were advancing in Ukraine along the entire front line, while Kyiv's forces were by contrast focused on defence and attempting to counter attack.

In a televised meeting with President Vladimir Putin and other top military officials, Gerasimov reported that Russian forces in 2025 had captured 6,640 square kilometres (2,563 square miles) of territory in Ukraine, including 334 villages.

Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield reports