Russo-Ukrainian war, days 1699: Ukraine has liberated more territory than Russia has captured since the start of fall

On day 1699 of the Russo-Ukrainian war, Ukraine has managed to liberate more territory than Russia has captured since the beginning of fall. This trend has continued throughout 2026, according to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian military has also successfully repelled Russian assaults and infiltration attempts in Dobropillia, the president announced.

Since the war began, Ukraine has spent a year targeting Russia's air defenses in an effort to protect their own. Recently, Russia was seen parking their best bombers in the open at a base within reach of Ukraine's Neptune cruise missiles, resulting in at least four being damaged.

In terms of military technology, Ukraine's online arms store for front-line units has evolved over the past 15 months. It now delivers one in five drones purchased by the state, with over 500 combat units ordering various supplies from it. A historic achievement was made by Ukraine's 92nd Assault Brigade, which used a heavy hexacopter to airlift a wounded soldier out of a kill zone, marking the first time such an evacuation had been carried out.