Oleksandr Syrsky, commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, stated that Ukraine has freed about 400 square kilometers of Russian-occupied territory in a span of nearly two months. This area, if combined, is roughly equivalent to the size of the municipality of Kirkkonummi. However, Emil Kastehelmi, a war expert from Iltalehti, noted that Syrsky's claim is somewhat vague and may exhibit signs of exaggeration, raising questions about the actual progress being made on the ground.

According to Kastehelmi, while Ukraine has indeed been successful in conducting counteroffensives, particularly in the eastern Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions, the nature of Syrsky's statement and its implications are more complex. The fighting has primarily involved pushing back Russian forces in crucial areas along the Haichur and Vovcha rivers, where battles have been ongoing for some time. Kastehelmi's analysis suggests that despite some advancements, there are still significant challenges and the situation remains unclear regarding the extent of territory regained.

Overall, the discussion surrounding the liberation claims emphasizes the complexity of the ongoing conflict, where narratives may be shaped by both military and political motivations. The differences in interpretation of military successes like Syrsky's could influence public perception and international support for Ukraine as it navigates through this challenging period of warfare.