ISW Debunks Putin’s Claims of Russian Military Gains: The Real Frontline Picture.

Putin’s Statements at the SPIEF

According to UATV: During the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), held from June 3 to June 6, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that Russian forces had captured '2,440 thousand square kilometers' of territory. However, these claims are contradicted by data from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), which presents a different reality. According to their findings, as of June 5, Russian troops control:

• 99.77% of Luhansk Oblast
• 79.93% of Donetsk Oblast
• 74.99% of Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Meanwhile, in June 2026, Ukrainian forces liberated more territory than Russian forces occupied during the same period.

Events at the Forum

The forum also featured notable incidents. On June 3, a drone attack on the 'St. Petersburg' oil terminal destroyed one tank and damaged six others. That same day, a corvette of Project 20380 (Steregushchy-class) was struck in Kronstadt. Additionally, on June 6, Ukraine’s Defense Forces hit Russian naval arsenals in Kronstadt.

Regarding Putin’s battlefield claims, ISW analysts note:

“Putin’s statements about the battlefield situation do not align with available data and suggest that the Russian military command is not providing him with accurate intelligence on the actual state of affairs on the ground.” - Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

This situation highlights the growing gap between Russia’s information strategy and the reality on the battlefield. The importance of reliable intelligence for military planning cannot be overstated, and such discrepancies could have serious consequences for operational outcomes. Given the activity of Ukrainian forces and continued strikes on Russian assets, the conflict is likely to remain volatile, shaping its future trajectory.