This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60506682

The article has changed 177 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 129 Version 130
Ukraine in maps: Tracking the war with Russia Ukraine in maps: Tracking the war with Russia
(8 days later)
Russian-backed leaders in four regions of Ukraine are to hold so-called referendums on joining Russia in the coming days. Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that Russia is annexing four regions of Ukraine.
Here are the latest developments:Here are the latest developments:
Self-styled referendums on joining Russia are to be held in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk between 23 and 27 September At a ceremony in Moscow, Mr Putin announced Russian's annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered a partial mobilisation of about 300,000 reservists to reinforce his troops in Ukraine The formal process, which will see these areas incorporated into the Russian Federation, will happen over the coming days
Ukrainian forces have held ground taken from Russia earlier this month in Kharkiv Reports suggest more than 20 civilians have been killed in a Russian attack on a civilian convoy in Zaporizhzhia
Ukrainian troops are trying to push forward around Lyman There is intense fighting around Lyman in the east of the country
Fighting continues in the south, around Kherson It follows a "partial mobilisation" of about 300,000 reservists to reinforce Russian troops in Ukraine
So-called referendums in four regions Annexation of four regions
Four regions of Ukraine that are partially or almost completely occupied by Russia will hold self-styled referendums from 23 to 27 September. Four regions of Ukraine, that are partially or almost completely occupied by Russia are being annexed by the Russian Federation.
Voting in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk will be conducted either in person or remotely. It follows self-styled referendums in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, held between 23 and 27 September.
The Russian-installed head of Kherson region in the south, Vladimir Saldo said incorporating it into Russia would "secure our territory and restore historical justice". The so-called referendums were condemned as a sham by Ukraine and many western countries.
Large parts Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk are not under Russian control and all four regions have seen fighting in recent days, so conducting a secure vote will not be possible. It is thought that the annexations will allow Russia to claim that continued Ukrainian counter-attacks on the four regions constitute an attack on sovereign Russian territory.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to annex the four regions in the days following the referendums. In an address to the Russian people, Mr Putin said his country had "various weapons of destruction" to defend Russia, and would "use all the means available to us", adding: "I'm not bluffing."
Some analysts have suggested that the change will allow Russia to claim that continued Ukrainian counter-attacks on the four regions will be an attack on sovereign Russian territory. The annexations follow a "partial mobilisation" of about 300,000 Russian reservists.
On Wednesday, Mr Putin ordered a partial mobilisation of about 300,000 Russian reservists, stressing that the call up would apply to people who already have military training. Mr Putin has acknowledged mistakes in the call-up process, with some people who should not have been called up being sent to Ukraine.
Russia's defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, said that the extra troops were required to defend a front line stretching for some 1,000km (600 miles). Intense fighting in the east
Russian retreat in the east Ukrainian troops have been pushing forward around Lyman in the east of the country, in recent days.
The announcements of the partial mobilisation and the referendums came after a major Russian defeat in the east. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) says they have "likely nearly completed the encirclement of the Russian grouping" in the area and have cut critical Russian ground lines of communication.
Ukraine says it recaptured 6,000 sq km (2,317 sq miles) of territory from Russia earlier this month, when it forced Russian units back in the Kharkiv region. Analysts say a defeat for Russia in Lyman would be a major set-back.
Russian forces have been trying to push forward in Bakhmut, to the south of Lyman, but reports suggest they have been repelled by Ukrainian troops.
The latest fighting follows a major Russian defeat in the east.
Ukraine says it recaptured 6,000 sq km (2,317 sq miles) of territory from Russia in early September, when it forced back Russian units in the Kharkiv region.
Russian troops withdrew from the key towns of Izyum and Kupiansk, saying that the retreat would allow its troops to "regroup".Russian troops withdrew from the key towns of Izyum and Kupiansk, saying that the retreat would allow its troops to "regroup".
Both towns were major logistical hubs for Russian forces in Donbas.Both towns were major logistical hubs for Russian forces in Donbas.
On Wednesday, Russian units continued to shell central areas of Kupiansk. Mr Putin has said that Russian forces were fighting for the "liberation" of Donbas, which broadly refers to Ukraine's eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, where Russian-backed separatists held significant territory before the invasion.
Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) told the BBC that Russian positions in Kharkiv had suffered a "total collapse." Attack on civilian convoy in the south
The Russian withdrawal was, he said, "certainly the most dramatic reverse that we've seen from the Russians since they retreated from Kyiv in April". On Friday, Ukrainian officials said at least 23 people had been killed in a Russian attack on a civilian convoy in the city of Zaporizhzhia.
Mr Putin has said that Russian forces were fighting for the "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. Dozens more are reported to have been injured in the rocket attack as people were preparing to travel to Russian-occupied areas of the Zaporizhzhia region to pick up relatives and deliver humanitarian aid.
On Monday, Russia lost full control of Luhansk after a village close to Lysychansk was recaptured by Ukrainian troops. Ukraine has continued to attack Russian positions near Kherson, targeting Russian transportation and logistics facilities in the area.
Reports suggest that Ukrainian units are attempting to push forward in Lyman.
Ukrainian counter-attack continues in the south
Ukraine has continued to attack Russian positions near Kherson, targeting Russian transportation and logistics facilities.
Reports suggest Ukrainian troops have made gains at several locations on the Russian front line in recent weeks.Reports suggest Ukrainian troops have made gains at several locations on the Russian front line in recent weeks.
They have also attacked bridges, ferries and pontoons, attempting to make Russian positions of the west side of the Dnieper River unsustainable, and thereby force a withdrawal. They have also attacked bridges, ferries and pontoons, attempting to make Russian positions on the west side of the Dnieper River unsustainable, and thereby force a withdrawal.
Also in the south, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called for the demilitarisation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.Also in the south, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called for the demilitarisation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Russian and Ukrainian sources have accused each other of shelling close to the plant, which is Europe's biggest nuclear facility.Russian and Ukrainian sources have accused each other of shelling close to the plant, which is Europe's biggest nuclear facility.
Shelling continued on Wednesday, damaging one of the plant's power units.Shelling continued on Wednesday, damaging one of the plant's power units.
Russia's military took over the power station in early March, but it is still being operated by Ukrainian staff.Russia's military took over the power station in early March, but it is still being operated by Ukrainian staff.
Western weapons boost UkraineWestern weapons boost Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appealed for more funding and equipment to retain the areas retaken from Russia.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has appealed for more funding and equipment to retain the areas retaken from Russia.
Western shipments of weaponry are being used heavily by Ukrainian forces.Western shipments of weaponry are being used heavily by Ukrainian forces.
Early in the conflict Ukraine used primarily Warsaw Pact munitions, which they had been using for several decades.Early in the conflict Ukraine used primarily Warsaw Pact munitions, which they had been using for several decades.
But many units have now made the transition to Nato standard equipment, including artillery and ammunition.But many units have now made the transition to Nato standard equipment, including artillery and ammunition.
Multiple launch rocket systems such as the US-made Himars have been used in both Kharkiv and Kherson, according to the ISW.Multiple launch rocket systems such as the US-made Himars have been used in both Kharkiv and Kherson, according to the ISW.
What military equipment is the world giving Ukraine?What military equipment is the world giving Ukraine?
Mr Zelensky says: "Our main goal is to de-occupy our whole territory."Mr Zelensky says: "Our main goal is to de-occupy our whole territory."
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 by Russian forces to take and occupy ground.Areas in the west of the country, including Lviv, have seen missile attacks but no attempt by Russian forces to take and occupy ground.
The Russians have suffered heavy losses since the invasion began and significant quantities of Russian weaponry have also been destroyed or captured.The Russians have suffered heavy losses since the invasion began and significant quantities of Russian weaponry have also been destroyed or captured.
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.