Pentagon: Russian troops retain advantage over Ukrainian

The US Department of Defense Intelligence Agency, in a report by the Special Inspector General to Congress on Operation Atlantic Resolve for the period from July 1 to December 31, 2025, concluded that as of the end of the year, the Russian military maintained an overall advantage over the Ukrainian troops in key areas. The document is published on the website of the Office of the Inspector General of the Pentagon (DoDIG).

"However, years of intense fighting have seriously exhausted the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which are still poorly prepared to respond to tactical offensives by Russian troops. As of December, the Russian military maintained an overall advantage over the Ukrainian Armed Forces in key combat areas," the report says.

Ukraine has lost approximately 20% of its territory since the start of hostilities.

Russian forces are "learning to use assault groups more effectively" to support offensives along the entire front line, intelligence said. At the same time, Ukrainian troops "constantly face problems associated with the uneven introduction of Western-style commanders" of warfare, Ukrainians lack the number of troops, air support and the ability to break through the defense.