This is a war of attrition for Ukraine. The Russians, not the Ukrainians, have to control territory. Ukraine has to conserve its forces and use mobile defenses to keep inflicting casualties. It knows that Russia will advance on Kyiv, and to some extent, it’s army will allow russia to advance because it has to stay in the fight. In terms of who’s winning or losing, it’s impossible to say right now.

But there is a huge difference between presence and control of an area. If you think the russian military truly has control anywhere, you’re very mistaken. Sending a platoon down a road does not equal control. If you also think that seizure or even control of Kyiv (doubtful that that will ever occur) will mean the end of this war, I find that to be highly unlikely.