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Ukraine war in maps: Tracking the Russian invasion Ukraine war in maps: Tracking the Russian invasion
(2 days later)
There is heavy fighting in east Ukraine, with key locations under intense bombardment from Russian forces. Heavy fighting continues in east Ukraine, with key locations under intense bombardment from Russian forces.
Here are the latest developments:Here are the latest developments:
Russian troops are trying to encircle Severodonetsk and Lysychansk, targeting Ukrainian positions with artillery and heavy mortars Russian troops control most of eastern city of Severodonetsk
Russian troops are pushing north from the town of Popasna, attacking Ukrainian supply routes Russian forces now pushing north from the town of Popasna
Russia's foreign minister says taking control of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine is an "unconditional priority". The US says it is sending Ukraine longer-range rocket systems
Russia advancing in the eastRussia advancing in the east
Russian officials have said their forces are fighting for the "complete liberation" of the Donbas, which broadly refers to Ukraine's eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, where Russian-backed separatists held significant territory before the invasion.Russian officials have said their forces are fighting for the "complete liberation" of the Donbas, which broadly refers to Ukraine's eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, where Russian-backed separatists held significant territory before the invasion.
Russia now controls more than 90% of Luhansk and has made significant advances in Donetsk since Russia's invasion on 24 February. Russia has made slow but significant advances in the east, with the governor of Luhansk saying last week that Russians forces controlled more than 90% of the region.
Eastern cities and supply routes under attack But a decision by the US to send new longer-range weaponry to Ukraine means it should be easier for the Ukrainians to defend their positions against Russian artillery strikes in the future.
Russian forces are closing in on Severodonetsk from three sides, with some parts of the city within range of heavy mortar fire. President Joe Biden said the rocket systems were intended to strengthen Kyiv's negotiating position and make a diplomatic solution more likely.
Defence analyst Professor Michael Clarke, of King's College London, said Ukrainian forces faced a crucial decision about whether to try to save the city, or withdraw to safer ground further west. Russian forces are reported to be in control of most of Severodonetsk and Ukrainian forces are said to be withdrawing further to the west.
He said Ukraine needed long-range Western artillery, so they could hold the Russian forces back. Taking the city has been one of Russia's key aims as it would mean they control almost all of the Luhansk region.
The Institute for the Study of War says the Russian campaign appears to be focused almost entirely on Severodonetsk, which means they are likely to deprioritize advances southeast of Izyum and west of Lyman. But the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said the Ukrainian call to withdraw from Severodonetsk was "strategically sound" as the city's loss was "largely symbolic".
A spokesman for the Luhansk region said 90% of houses in Severodonetsk had been destroyed and there was virtually no gas, water or electricity. Russian troops have moved north from Popasna, with the key supply route from Bakhmut to Lysychansk being bombarded by Russian artillery.
A Russian attempt to push south from Izyum along the road to Slovyansk was effectively stalled by Ukrainian forces.
However, Russian troops have moved north from Popasna, with the key supply route from Bakhmut to Lysychansk being bombarded by Russian artillery.
Should the route be taken by Russia, Severodonetsk and Lysychansk would be left with one supply road via Siversk.Should the route be taken by Russia, Severodonetsk and Lysychansk would be left with one supply road via Siversk.
Reports suggest that Lyman is now under Russian control, and forces are now regrouping to try to take the city of Slovyansk, Reports suggest that Lyman is now under Russian control, and forces are regrouping to try to take the city of Slovyansk,
Russia's 'Frankenstein forces' inching forward Russian forces have seen big losses
Russian forces have suffered heavy losses since the invasion began.Russian forces have suffered heavy losses since the invasion began.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) says Russia is likely to have suffered devastating losses among its middle and junior ranking officers, because they have been deployed at the front lines of fighting. It says these losses are likely to contribute to a loss of morale and poor discipline among lower ranks.The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) says Russia is likely to have suffered devastating losses among its middle and junior ranking officers, because they have been deployed at the front lines of fighting. It says these losses are likely to contribute to a loss of morale and poor discipline among lower ranks.
Significant quantities of Russian weaponry have also been destroyed.Significant quantities of Russian weaponry have also been destroyed.
As a result, Russia has tried to combine some heavily depleted units, forming what some analysts have called 'Frankenstein forces' to fight in the east.As a result, Russia has tried to combine some heavily depleted units, forming what some analysts have called 'Frankenstein forces' to fight in the east.
Ukraine has successfully pushed Russian forces away from Kharkiv, though Russian units are continuing to shell some parts of the city, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Ukraine has successfully pushed Russian forces away from Kharkiv, though Russian units are continuing to shell some parts of the city, according to the ISW.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky visited troops in the Kharkiv region on Sunday (28 May), his first official trip outside the Kyiv region since the Russian invasion began. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky visited troops in the Kharkiv region last week, his first official trip outside the Kyiv region since the Russian invasion began.
In southern Donetsk, Russia is now fully in control of the port city of Mariupol. In southern Donetsk, Russia is now fully in control of the port city of Mariupol, after a siege lasting more than two months came to an end on 20 May.
The siege of Mariupol, which lasted more than two months, came to an end on 20 May.
Analysts say the fall of the city may enable Russian units to join the fight in other areas such as Zaporizhzhia, where the shelling of Ukrainian forces is ongoing.Analysts say the fall of the city may enable Russian units to join the fight in other areas such as Zaporizhzhia, where the shelling of Ukrainian forces is ongoing.
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Russia targeting full control of south Russia targets full control of south
Russian forces initially made rapid gains in the south, with their main objective being the creation of a land corridor between Crimea, which it annexed in 2014, and areas held by Russian-backed separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk.Russian forces initially made rapid gains in the south, with their main objective being the creation of a land corridor between Crimea, which it annexed in 2014, and areas held by Russian-backed separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk.
But strong resistance from Ukrainian forces near Mykolaiv in the west and in Mariupol significantly slowed Russian advances.But strong resistance from Ukrainian forces near Mykolaiv in the west and in Mariupol significantly slowed Russian advances.
To the west, Russia had aimed to take control of Odesa and cut off Ukraine's access to the Black Sea, but its forces were blocked by a staunch defence in Mykolaiv and forced back towards Kherson by a Ukrainian counteroffensive in March.To the west, Russia had aimed to take control of Odesa and cut off Ukraine's access to the Black Sea, but its forces were blocked by a staunch defence in Mykolaiv and forced back towards Kherson by a Ukrainian counteroffensive in March.
The ISW says control of the region around Kherson could be critical to Ukraine's future, if the Ukrainians can regain control of land to the west of the Dnipro river they will be in a stronger position to resist any future Russian invasion.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February, but Ukrainian forces retook large areas around Kyiv in early April after Russia abandoned its push towards the capital.Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February, but Ukrainian forces retook large areas around Kyiv in early April after Russia abandoned its push towards the capital.
Areas in the west of the country, including Lviv, have seen missile attacks but no attempt to take and occupy ground by Russian forces. Areas in the west of the country, including Lviv, have seen missile attacks but no attempt by Russian forces to take and occupy ground.
By David Brown, Bella Hurrell, Dominic Bailey, Mike Hills, Lucy Rodgers, Paul Sargeant, Alison Trowsdale, Tural Ahmedzade, Mark Bryson, Zoe Bartholomew, Sean Willmott, Sana Dionysiou, Joy Roxas, Gerry Fletcher, Jana Tauschinsk, Debie Loizou, Simon Martin and Prina Shah.By David Brown, Bella Hurrell, Dominic Bailey, Mike Hills, Lucy Rodgers, Paul Sargeant, Alison Trowsdale, Tural Ahmedzade, Mark Bryson, Zoe Bartholomew, Sean Willmott, Sana Dionysiou, Joy Roxas, Gerry Fletcher, Jana Tauschinsk, Debie Loizou, Simon Martin and Prina Shah.
About these mapsAbout these maps
To indicate which parts of Ukraine are under control by Russian troops we are using daily assessments published by the Institute for the Study of War with the American Enterprise Institute's Critical Threats Project.To indicate which parts of Ukraine are under control by Russian troops we are using daily assessments published by the Institute for the Study of War with the American Enterprise Institute's Critical Threats Project.
To show key areas where advances are taking place we are also using daily updates from the UK Ministry of Defence and BBC research.To show key areas where advances are taking place we are also using daily updates from the UK Ministry of Defence and BBC research.
The situation in Ukraine is fast moving and it is likely there will be times when there have been changes not reflected in the maps.The situation in Ukraine is fast moving and it is likely there will be times when there have been changes not reflected in the maps.