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Russian rate of losses in Ukraine almost triples in one year

Al Jazeera · 🇶🇦 public Qatar · · 1036 words · By John T Psaropoulos
Russian military attrition Economic Stability of Russia Aerial Warfare Tactics
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What to know about Russian military attrition

Russian rate of losses in Ukraine almost triples in one year Territorially, Russia is at a standstill in 2026, assessments of its ground war reveal.

Claims checked 21
Techniques found 2
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center100%
Right0%

2 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Russian rate of losses in Ukraine almost triples in one year Territorially, Russia is at a standstill in 2026, assessments of its ground war reveal.

Why it matters

Evidence of Russia’s poor performance in its war in Ukraine, both militarily and economically, has been mounting over the past week.

Common ground

The US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has confirmed earlier assessments that Russia has lost territory it previously occupied in Ukraine.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Name Calling / Labeling: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/29/russian-rate-of-losses-in-ukraine-almos…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Name Calling / Labeling 70% confidence
Attaching a negative label to a person or group to reject them without evidence.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing name calling / labeling helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 21 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 11
check_circle Corroborated 6
info Single Source 4
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Claim 1: “Russia drops approximately 3,000 of them [glide bombs] a week”
SINGLE SOURCE
The figure of 3,000 glide bombs per week is only provided in the Al Jazeera cross-reference.
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cross reference SUPPORTS — Russia drops approximately 3,000 [glide bombs] a week
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/29/russian-rate-of-los…
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Claim 2: “Ukraine managed to shoot down 91 percent of the drones and 81 percent of the cruise missiles”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 3: “On May 24, Russia launched 600 long-range drones and 90 missiles against Kyiv and surrounding areas, including 36 ballistic missiles”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 4: “Russian casualties had increased to 145,000 this year, of which 86,000 were killed and 59,000 troops seriously wounded”
CORROBORATED
The specific casualty figures (145,000 total, 86,000 killed, 59,000 wounded) are reported by Al Jazeera and a SITREP OSINT summary for May 2026.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Russians (Russian: русские, romanized: russkiye [ˈruskʲɪje] ) are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Eastern Europe. Their mother tongue is Russian, the most spoken Slavic language. The majority of…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russians
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country in Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the largest country in the world, spanning eleven time zones and sharing land borders with fourteen countries. W…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Russian Empire was the final period of the Russian monarchy, spanning most of northern Eurasia from its establishment in November 1721 until the proclamation of the Russian Republic in September 1…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Empire
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 5: “Russia losing access to Starlink satellite services used for targeting and counter-battery fire”
CORROBORATED
The loss of Starlink access for Russian forces is reported by Al Jazeera (attributing it to the DIA) and Forbes, both linking it to disruptions in artillery and targeting.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — In Russia, the use of Starlink to attack Russian targets has been criticized by government officials. Russia's military has repeatedly tried to disrupt Starlink ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starlink_in_the_Russo-Ukrainia…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — May 29, 2026 · The DIA attributed Ukraine's clawback of 400 sq km (154.5 sq miles) of its territory to Russia losing access to Starlink satellite services used ...
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/29/russian-rate-of-los…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Feb 24, 2026 · Loss of Starlink access is disrupting Russian artillery operations in Ukraine, reducing the effectiveness of Moscow's core combat power.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/vikrammittal/2026/02/24/starlin…
schedule
Claim 6: “which it has also forward-positioned in Belarus”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 7: “On May 21, Kherson occupation governor Vladimir Saldo restricted movement along the M-14 highway connecting Mariupol, Berdyansk and Melitopol”
SINGLE SOURCE
This specific event on May 21 involving Vladimir Saldo and the M-14 highway is only mentioned in the Al Jazeera cross-reference.
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cross reference SUPPORTS — On May 21, Kherson occupation governor Vladimir Saldo restricted movement along the M-14 highway connecting Mariupol, Berdyansk and Melitopol
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/29/russian-rate-of-los…
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Claim 8: “Russia advanced by a net 104 sq km (40 sq miles) between January 1 and May 26, 2026”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources, including Al Jazeera, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) via web search, and Medium, all report the specific figure of 104 sq km net gain between January 1 and May 26, 2026.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The AK-104 is a carbine variant of the AK-103 chambered in 7.62×39mm which feeds from any standard 7.62x39 AK pattern magazine.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AK-104
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The MIM-104 Patriot is a mobile interceptor missile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, the primary such system used by the United States Army and several allied states. It is manufactured by the U.S…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIM-104_Patriot
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This timeline of the Russo-Ukrainian war covers the period from 1 January to 31 May 2025.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Russo-Ukrainia…
+ 4 more evidence sources
info
Claim 9: “Russia has sold 27.9 tonnes of its gold reserves this year, worth more than $4bn”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific figure of 27.9 tonnes worth $4bn is reported by Al Jazeera. While other sources mention gold reserve decreases (e.g., World Gold Council mentioning -21.77 tonnes), they do not match the exact 27.9 tonne figure.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — For the gold mining company, see Gold Reserve Inc. For the 1925 Soviet film, see Gold Reserves (film). Official U.S. gold reserve since 1900. Changes in central bank gold reserves by country 1993–2014…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_reserve
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Russian Federation: -21.77 Tonnes. Bulgaria: -1.88 Tonnes. Gold reserves (Tonnes): Q1 2026 Snapshot. XLS. Country.Holdings are given in tonnes, US$ value and % of total reserves.
https://www.gold.org/goldhub/data/gold-reserves-by-country
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — As of March 26, 2026, Turkey’s central bank has sold and swapped approximately 58.4 tonnes of gold, valued at more than $8 billion, in the two weeks after the Iran conflict began. This marks the large…
https://www.canadianminingreport.com/blog/why-turkey-s-centr…
+ 1 more evidence source
schedule
Claim 10: “one of the missiles used in the May 24 attack on Kyiv was its newest, the Oreshnik intermediate range missile”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 11: “The following day Ukraine struck the Tamanneftegaz oil terminal, also on the Black Sea”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 12: “which would also purchase an additional 20 through the EU’s Ukraine Support Loan in a deal worth $2.9bn”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 13: “At least 87 people were injured, Zelenskyy said, and two were immediately confirmed to have been killed”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 14: “Russian forces had infiltrated and contested another 628 sq km (242.5 sq miles), but did not take control”
SINGLE SOURCE
While the general context of the 2026 conflict is corroborated, the specific figure of 628 sq km contested without control is only found in the Al Jazeera cross-reference and not independently confirmed by the other provided web search results.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 71-628 is a Russian fully low-floor tram model built by Ust-Katav Wagon-Building Plant since 2020. The tram is based on the unrealised 71-625 project and is a development of the partially low-floo…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/71-628
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Byzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628, also called the Last Great War of Antiquity, was fought between the Byzantine Empire and the Sasanian Empire. It was the final and most devastating conflict of t…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantine–Sasanian_War_of_602–…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country in Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the largest country in the world, spanning eleven time zones and sharing land borders with fourteen countries. W…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia
+ 4 more evidence sources
schedule
Claim 15: “On May 23 Ukraine struck an oil depot and offloading terminal at Novorossiysk on the Black Sea”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 16: “Russian gold reserves at their lowest since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022”
CORROBORATED
Al Jazeera and multiple web search results (including a specific article titled 'Russia Sold Over $4 Billion of Gold From Reserves This Year') confirm that gold reserves have reached their lowest level since February 2022.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — May 20, 2026 ... The Bank of Russia is continuing to sell gold from its reserves ... That's the lowest level since February 2022, when President Vladimir ...
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-20/russia-so…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — May 25, 2026 ... In just one month, their gold reserves decreased by 200,000 ounces, bringing the total decline since the start of 2026 to 900,000 ounces.
https://www.kitco.com/news/article/2026-05-25/russias-sovere…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — May 23, 2026 ... Russia is selling its gold reserves at a rapid pace: The Bank of Russia's gold holdings dropped -900,000 ounces in the first 4 months of 2026, ...
https://www.reddit.com/r/EconomyCharts/comments/1tlfdb6/the_…
+ 1 more evidence source
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Claim 17: “Ukraine retook approximately 400 square kilometres in and around Dnipropetrovsk – more territory than at any time since late 2022 – during the quarter”
CORROBORATED
The claim is reported by Al Jazeera and corroborated by multiple web search results, including a report to Congress mentioned on May 18 and another source discussing the Dnipropetrovsk region.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Dnipropetrovsk Oblast (Ukrainian: Дніпропетровська область, romanized: Dnipropetrovska oblast), also commonly known as Dnipropetrovshchyna (Ukrainian: Дніпропетровщина), is an oblast (province) in sou…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dnipropetrovsk_Oblast
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Russian occupation of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast is a military occupation of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast by Russia after the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. The oblast's capital, Dnipro, was not successfull…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_occupation_of_Dniprope…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This timeline of the Russo-Ukrainian war covers the period from 1 January to 31 May 2026.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Russo-Ukrainia…
+ 4 more evidence sources
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Claim 18: “On May 28, Sweden announced it would donate 16 Gripen warplanes to Ukraine”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
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Claim 19: “compared to its seizure of 1,619 sq km (625 sq miles) during the same period last year”
CORROBORATED
The figure of 1,619 sq km for the same period in 2025 is consistently reported across multiple sources, including ISW and other web search results, as a point of comparison.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — 2017 (MMXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar, the 2017th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations, the 17th year of the 3rd millennium and the 21s…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country in Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the largest country in the world, spanning eleven time zones and sharing land borders with fourteen countries. W…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This timeline of the Russo-Ukrainian war covers the period from 1 January to 31 May 2026.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_Russo-Ukrainia…
+ 3 more evidence sources
schedule
Claim 20: “strike on a college in occupied Luhansk... had killed six students and injured 39”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 21: “military and industrial sites were attacked, including the Metafrax Chemicals plant in Perm... and the Taganrog Airbase in Rostov”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.