The key facts
- Over September and October, according to reports by the Russian Defense Ministry, 91 populated areas were taken under control: 52 in September and 39 in October.
- In October the largest number — 19 populated areas — was recorded by the North group; 18 of the 39 October areas were in Kharkiv region.
- The head of the DPR, Denis Pushilin, said that Ukrainian drone activity is preventing the start of restoration in Kostyantynivka.
Two-month tally based on Defense Ministry reports
Over September and October, Russian forces established control over 91 populated areas in the special military operation zone. These figures come from reports by the Russian Defense Ministry, on the basis of which Life.ru made its calculations. The tally was distributed unevenly: in September the ministry reported 52 populated areas, and in October — 39.
Who advanced where in October
In October, according to the calculations, the largest number of populated areas — 19 — was taken by the North group of forces. It is followed by East (9), Center (6), West (2), Dnepr (2) and the Southern group (1). Geographically, most of the October reports concerned Kharkiv region: it accounted for 18 of the month's 39 populated areas — nearly half. In September, the North group was also the leader, credited with liberating 30 areas.
Kostyantynivka: control exists, recovery does not
The head of the DPR, Denis Pushilin, spoke separately about the situation in Kostyantynivka: according to him, the city was liberated 'quite a long time ago,' however the high activity of Ukrainian drones over it still does not allow the republic's civilian services to begin restoration and other work. This statement shows that the transfer of populated areas to control, as reflected in the reports, does not automatically mean the start of civilian arrangements: in Kostyantynivka, restoration has in fact not begun. The outlet collects details on the escalation in Donbas in a separate section.
