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Ukraine in maps: Tracking the war with Russia Ukraine in maps: Tracking the war with Russia
(6 days later)
Russia has been targeting Ukraine's port and grain infrastructure as the Ukrainian counter-offensive to retake territory from Russia's occupying forces continues. Ukraine's counter-offensive appears to be intensifying along sections of the front line but Kyiv warns progress is likely to remain slow.
Here are the latest developments:Here are the latest developments:
Russia has been launching extensive missile and drone attacks against port and grain infrastructure in southern Ukraine Ukraine says it has had success on one of the front lines in the Donetsk region in south east, as fighting continues around the eastern city of Bakhmut
Moscow blames Ukraine after a key bridge linking Russia to Crimea was damaged on Monday, killing two people Western officials talk of a major thrust taking place but Ukraine warns the extent of Russia's defences means progress will continue to be slow
Ukraine's counter-offensive is continuing with advances around the city of Bakhmut, as well as slow progress in the eastern Donetsk and south-eastern Zaporizhzhia regions Russia has continued its extensive missile attacks against Ukraine's port and grain infrastructure, destroying a historic cathedral in Odesa
Grain facilities targeted Ukraine launches 'intense' assault
Russia has pulled out of a deal that ensured safe passage for grain shipments crossing the Black Sea and has since been targeting Ukraine's grain facilities in Odesa and other cities. Ukraine has continued its counter-offensive operations, and says its troops have had success on one of the front lines in the south east, taking the village of Staromaiorske, in Donetsk, about 150km (90 miles) east of city of Zaporizhzhia.
Ukraine's Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi said recent strikes had destroyed more than 60,000 tonnes of grain and damaged considerable parts of the grain export infrastructure. And the US-based Institute for the Study of War said an "intense frontal assault" had also been launched towards Robotyne, in the Zaporizhzhia region, about 10km (6 miles) south of the town of Orikhiv.
The deal agreed in July 2022 between Russia and Ukraine - brokered by Turkey and the UN - allowed cargo ships to sail to and from Ukrainian ports and along a corridor in the Black Sea to export millions of tonnes of grain to the rest of the world. Unnamed US defence officials have told American outlets that a new push has begun in the Ukrainian counter-offensive.
It also allowed the Russian navy to check ships for weapons in the Bosphorus Strait, at the entrance to the Black Sea. This has not been confirmed by Ukraine although Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters in St Petersburg that attacks by Ukrainian troops had "significantly" intensified.
Over 32 million tonnes of grain were shipped from Ukraine under the deal and global wheat prices have risen sharply since Russia pulled out of the deal. He insisted Ukraine had had no success, adding: "All counter-offensive attempts were stopped, and the enemy was pushed back with high casualties."
But Russian-backed militia leader Aleksandr Khodakovsky contradicted Mr Putin, saying Ukraine had methodically shelled Staromaiorske for several days and made gains, holding on to the outskirts and pushing on.
Fighting around Bakhmut continues
Elsewhere on the front line, fighting has continued around what is left of the city of Bakhmut - which has endured some of the heaviest fighting of the war and has been under Russian control for several months.
Ukrainian officials said fighting is ongoing south west of the city near villages including Andriivka.
Ukraine's counter-offensive began on a number of fronts last month but has seen very few clear gains so far.
Kyiv's generals have warned that fast results are almost impossible because of Russia's fortified defensive lines and rows of minefields.
Gen Oleksandr Tarnavskyi says Russia's military has displayed "professional qualities" by preventing Ukrainian forces from "advancing quickly", but added: "Any defence can be broken but you need patience, time and skilful action."
Cathedral destroyed in Odesa
Meanwhile, Russia has continued to target Ukraine's port and grain infrastructure, destroying a historic cathedral in Odesa in missile strikes, officials have said.
Russia claimed its targets in the port city were being used to prepare "terrorist acts" and blamed the attack on Ukrainian air defences.
Odesa head Oleh Kiper said in his Telegram channel that Russia had also attacked infrastructure at Ukrainian ports of Reni and Izmail on the River Danube for four hours with Iranian-made drones on Monday - just across the river from Nato-member Romania.
Moscow has been launching near-constant attacks on Ukraine's grain infrastructure since Russia withdrew from a landmark grain deal - officials in Ukraine say more than 60,000 tonnes of grain have been destroyed.
The deal was struck in July 2022 between Russia and Ukraine - brokered by Turkey and the UN - allowing cargo ships to sail along a corridor in the Black Sea 310 nautical miles long and three nautical miles wide.
Mr Putin says the West was not keeping its side of the bargain and has offered Russian grain to six African countries - Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Central African Republic and Eritrea - but has been urged to renew the deal at a summit of African leaders he is hosting.
What was the Ukraine grain deal?What was the Ukraine grain deal?
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he would return to the deal if his demands were met - including lifting sanctions on sales of Russian grain and fertiliser and reconnecting Russia's agricultural bank to a global payment system.
However, Russian air strikes on the Black Sea coastal cities have continued, leaving more than 20 people wounded in Odesa and Mykolaiv.
Russia has said it will treat ships heading for Ukrainian ports as potential military targets and the US has accused Russia of laying more sea mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports.
Crimea bridge attacked
Russia's decision to end the grain deal came after the Kerch Bridge, which allows travel between Russia and Crimea - Ukrainian territory annexed by Russia in 2014 - was damaged in what it described as a "terrorist" attack.
A holidaymaking couple were killed and their daughter was injured in the attack on the bridge on Monday, which Russia blamed on drones launched by Ukraine.
The BBC has not seen any visual evidence to confirm this and Ukraine has not officially said it was responsible - but a source in Ukraine's security service told the BBC Ukrainian service it was behind the attack and that water-based drones were used.
Russia said the bridge had partially reopened on Tuesday and posted clips showing vehicles using a single lane.
The bridge is an important resupply route for Russian forces occupying parts of southern Ukraine and had only fully reopened in February after being damaged in a huge explosion in October 2022.
Ukraine counter-offensive continues
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have continued their counter-offensive operations on Bakhmut's northern and southern flanks and made gains in some areas.
Most of what is left of the eastern city of Bakhmut - which has endured some of the heaviest fighting of the war - has been under Russian control for several months.
The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said Ukrainian forces had advanced west of Andriivka, which is about 10km south west of Bakhmut.
Ukrainian officials said its troops had forced Russian forces to retreat from positions north east of Orikhovo-Vasylivka, about 11km north west of the city.
Elsewhere on the front line, Ukraine has continued operations in several areas in the eastern Donetsk and south-eastern Zaporizhzhia regions, with officials reporting slow advances in several areas.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak has repeated that the counter-offensive will be slow and difficult but said it will prevent Russian forces from retaking the initiative on the battlefield.
Meanwhile, the US has confirmed Ukraine has started to use US-supplied cluster bombs and said they were being used "effectively" on Russian defensive positions and operations.
Cluster bombs scatter multiple bomblets and are banned by more than 100 states due to their threat to civilians.
The US decided to send cluster bombs after Ukraine warned that it was running out of ammunition, but was criticised for doing so by several allies, including the UK.
More than a year of fightingMore than a year of fighting
Russia's invasion began with dozens of missile strikes on cities all over Ukraine before dawn on 24 February 2022.Russia's invasion began with dozens of missile strikes on cities all over Ukraine before dawn on 24 February 2022.
Russian ground troops moved in quickly and within a few weeks were in control of large areas of Ukraine and had advanced to the suburbs of Kyiv.Russian ground troops moved in quickly and within a few weeks were in control of large areas of Ukraine and had advanced to the suburbs of Kyiv.
Russian forces were bombarding Kharkiv, and they had taken territory in the east and south as far as Kherson, and surrounded the port city of Mariupol.Russian forces were bombarding Kharkiv, and they had taken territory in the east and south as far as Kherson, and surrounded the port city of Mariupol.
But they hit very strong Ukrainian resistance almost everywhere and faced serious logistical problems with poorly motivated Russian troops suffering shortages of food, water and ammunition.But they hit very strong Ukrainian resistance almost everywhere and faced serious logistical problems with poorly motivated Russian troops suffering shortages of food, water and ammunition.
Ukrainian forces were also quick to deploy Western supplied arms such as the Nlaw anti-tank system, which proved highly effective against the Russian advance.Ukrainian forces were also quick to deploy Western supplied arms such as the Nlaw anti-tank system, which proved highly effective against the Russian advance.
By October the picture had changed dramatically and having failed to take Kyiv, Russia withdrew completely from the north.By October the picture had changed dramatically and having failed to take Kyiv, Russia withdrew completely from the north.
More than a year since the invasion, Ukraine is now hoping its latest counter-offensive can turn the war in its favour.More than a year since the invasion, Ukraine is now hoping its latest counter-offensive can turn the war in its favour.
By David Brown, Bella Hurrell, Dominic Bailey, Mike Hills, Lucy Rodgers, Paul Sargeant, Alison Trowsdale, Tural Ahmedzade, Chris Clayton, 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, Chris Clayton, Kady Wardell, 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 show key areas where advances are taking place we are also using updates from the UK Ministry of Defence and BBC research.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 updates from the UK Ministry of Defence and BBC research.
The situation in Ukraine is often 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 often fast moving and it is likely there will be times when there have been changes not reflected in the maps.
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