In September, the pace of Russia’s territorial gains fell by half — from an average of 15 km² per day in August to 8.5 km². Overall, the occupiers seized 260 km² last month — the lowest figure since the start of their summer offensive. For comparison, Russian forces captured 464 km² in August and 564 km² at the peak in July.infographic on the occupation of territories, photo: EspresoRussian tanks and armored vehicles have almost disappeared from the front lines, replaced by motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, and even horses. During most of the war, Ukraine’s Armed Forces primarily targeted enemy logistics and destroyed motor transport. However, over the past six months, the situation has changed dramatically — drones have become both the main threat and the primary target.Graph: Russian army’s losses in drones and motor vehicles, photo: EspresoBy the end of September, Russian drone losses even surpassed vehicle losses in absolute numbers — 65,000 vs. 63,000. This reflects the record number of over 10,000 tactical-level drones destroyed by Ukrainian defenders in September alone.Despite the fact that the Armed Forces of Ukraine killed 28,500 occupiers in a month, which is the lowest figure since April last year. But two out of three enemies killed are two hundredth.Ukrainian forces eliminated 28,500 Russian soldiers in September — the lowest monthly figure since April last year. Still, two out of three targeted were killed in action.infographic of enemy losses, photo: EspresoPutin has already launched a continuous mobilization of conscripts, many of whom are expected to sign contracts with the Russian Armed Forces. As a result, Russia’s manpower-driven offensives, supported by the mass use of drones, are likely to intensify further in the coming months and throughout 2026. At present, Ukraine’s military command has not yet found an effective countermeasure to this.Lyman and Siversk – the gateways to SlovianskThere have been minimal changes in this area over the past week, yet the number and direction of Russian attacks clearly indicate that Moscow’s plans remain unchanged — to break through to Sloviansk by spring.North of Lyman, the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to fight for Shandryholove and Serednie, while Russian forces attempt to expand their foothold on the right bank of the Netryus River, so far without success. Similarly, the situation in Zarichne remains unchanged — intense fighting continues for control of the village, which serves as a gateway to Lyman.Ukraine Russia war live map, September 27 – October 4, photo: EspresoMeanwhile, Russian troops have achieved limited success on both banks of the Siverskyi Donets River. They have entrenched themselves on the northern outskirts of Yampil and are now storming the village itself. In addition, they have expanded the gray zone north of Yampil, attempting to attack Ukrainian positions from the flank. Russian forces have also almost completely occupied the Serebryanka forestry and now control the entire northern bank of the Siverskyi Donets River up to Dronivka, which appears to be their next target. From the southern bank, Russian forces are advancing from Serebryanka toward Dronivka in an effort to seize the crossing point, which would enable them to outflank Ukrainian defenses near Siversk. At present, the Defense Forces are holding their positions, though it is evident that they lack sufficient resources to contain the occupiers indefinitely. Aware that the Ukrainian line near Siversk is under severe strain, Russian forces have intensified pressure from the south, advancing toward the city through Vyimka.Parallel attacks near Dobropillia and offensive on Pokrovsk from southThe Ukrainian Armed Forces have successfully halted the Russian offensive on Pokrovsk from the north. There has been no advance toward Rodynske for more than a month, and the threat of a breakthrough near Dobropillia has been partially neutralized. Moreover, Russian units have been surrounded in areas near Shakhove and farther north.Despite these setbacks, the Russian command continues to issue orders to attack both Rodynske and Shakhove. According to their plan, the encircled groups are to break through to the forces occupying Poltavka, which are advancing on Volodymyrivka, Shakhove, and Sofiivka, attempting to launch another parallel offensive between Dobropillia and Kostiantynivka.As a consequence, the Ukrainian Armed Forces were forced to suspend their own advance toward Novotoretske and instead concentrate on securing the flanks and eliminating the Russian units maintaining a circular defense.Ukraine Russia war live map, September 27 – October 4, photo: EspresoThe Ukrainian Defense Forces also halted the Russian offensive near Razine, as Russian forces intensified operations around Krasnyi Lyman and further south toward Myrnohrad. Ukrainian troops have not yet succeeded in driving the invaders out of Novoekonomichne, where Russian units are fortifying their positions and attempting to advance toward Myrnohrad from another flank — via Myrolyubivka.On the southern front, Russian forces have increased pressure on the outskirts of Pokrovsk, advancing along several axes from Zvirovo toward the city. After seven months of continuous fighting, they captured Udachne, which had previously blocked their advance toward Pokrovsk from the west. However, further progress from the village has stalled, and Russia is currently unable to expand its foothold in this sector.Ukraine Russia war live map, September 27 – October 4, photo: EspresoRussian offensive on Pokrovske and HuliaipoleThe Russian offensive toward Velykomykhailivka was stopped near Novoselivka and Sosonivka, yet within a week, Russian forces captured Berezove and Kalynivske in the Dnipropetrovsk region, advancing six kilometers from Kalynivske toward Verbove. Over the past month, they have gained a total of 13 kilometers — half the distance to the Pokrovske–Huliaipole highway, a key logistical artery in this sector. Now, only 12 kilometers remain before they can potentially cut off the road, enabling them to bypass Huliaipole from the flanks and open an assault on the city in the Zaporizhzhia region.However, in their push for rapid advancement, the Russians left several unsecured “pockets” near Ternove, Maliivka, and Sichneve, indicating a shortage of manpower to consolidate newly captured positions. This situation creates a real opportunity for Ukrainian counterattacks.Ukraine Russia war live map, September 27 – October 4, photo: EspresoAt the same time, Putin’s forces are advancing in the Zaporizhzhia region, where they have captured the village of Olhivske and entered the eastern outskirts of Poltavka, where fierce fighting continues. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are expected to fortify defensive lines along the Yanchul River, seeking to halt the occupiers’ advance in Uspenivka and Poltavka.It is worth recalling that exactly a year ago, on September 28, the Ukrainian military began a strategic withdrawal from Vuhledar — the “fortress city” that had withstood massive Russian tank assaults for more than two years. That retreat marked a turning point: the collapse of the southern Donetsk front, which in turn undermined the stability of defense lines stretching from Marinka to Kurakhove, and further to the administrative border between the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. Today, it is precisely in this sector that Russian troops are advancing most consistently and deeply toward the west, with their total territorial gain now reaching 65 kilometers in a straight line.Ukraine Russia war live map, September 27 – October 4, photo: EspresoBlackout in Moscow and gasoline crisisNot only President Zelenskyy, but also several senior Ukrainian military leaders, have publicly pledged to strike Moscow’s energy infrastructure. In preparation, Ukraine is stockpiling the necessary resources. To demonstrate that these statements are not mere rhetoric, HIMARS units have already destroyed the Belgorod Thermal Power Plant, which remains out of operation to this day.Ukraine Russia war live map, September 27 – October 4, photo: EspresoMeanwhile, over the past two months, Ukrainian drones have struck 27 oil refineries, as well as numerous oil pumping stations and storage depots. The most recent attack targeted Orsk, located 1,500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Strikes have been intensified across the entire energy sector, particularly against facilities dependent on oil. As a result, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have managed to shut down 38% of Russia’s refinery capacity, forcing the Russian government to submit requests to import gasoline.At the same time, strikes on Crimea have intensified, and after the end of the tourist season, the peninsula could become semi-deserted. Half of the gas stations are out of service already.The maps were created based on information received from the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ General Staff, as well as from other open and verified sources. At the same time, the maps are not maximally precise and only conventionally reflect trends in the combat zone.