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Ukraine war in maps: Tracking the Russian invasion Ukraine war in maps: Tracking the Russian invasion
(about 13 hours later)
Russian forces have refocused their efforts on operations in the east of the country, as Ukrainian troops regain control of large areas around Kyiv. Russia is continuing to withdraw troops from the north of Ukraine as it shifts its focus to capturing more territory in the eastern regions of the country.
Here are the latest developments on day 41 of the invasion: Here are the latest developments on day 42 of the invasion:
Russia is now believed to be refocusing on the Donbas region Russian withdrawal of forces around Kyiv "largely completed"
Russian troops are preparing for an attack on the town of Slovyansk Thousands flee eastern Donbas region before expected Russian push
Ukraine accuses Russian troops of massacring civilians in town of Bucha Russian troops attempting to encircle Ukrainian forces near Slovyansk
Fighting continues in the port city of Mariupol Ukrainian forces still resisting Russian attacks in southern city of Mariupol
Russia launched its attack on 24 February, but nearly six weeks into the war Russian forces have retreated from the outskirts of Kyiv and are focussing on fighting in the east of the country. Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February, but its forces have now "abandoned the attack on Kyiv" and "largely completed their withdrawal" from around the capital, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Ukraine may have "won the Battle of Kyiv", but analysts at the Institute for the Study of War warn the war could still go Russia's way if it is successful in its eastern offensive. Analysts at the ISW believe Russian units retreating from around Kyiv are unlikely to "regain combat effectiveness for some time" and it is unclear if they will be redeployed.
Russian units which have withdrawn from the north of the country are likely to require significant re-equipping before being available for deployment in the east, says the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Ukrainians retake key terrain in northUkrainians retake key terrain in north
Ukrainian forces have retaken territory around Kyiv and Chernihiv, as Russian troops have withdrawn across the borders into Belarus and western Russia. Ukrainian forces have retaken large areas around Kyiv in recent days after Russian forces abandoned their assault on the capital and withdrew across the border into Belarus and western Russia.
Ukraine has accused Russia of killing civilians in the town of Bucha, just outside the capital, after reporters found bodies strewn in the streets. Images from several of the liberated towns to the west of Kyiv show huge amounts of damage and destruction to lives and property, with allegations of war crimes having been committed by Russian troops.
Satellite images of the area appear to also show bodies left in the open. Ukrainian forces have also retaken large areas around Chernihiv, a strategically important city to the north-east of Kyiv that sits between the capital and the Russian border.
Ukrainian forces have been carrying out clearing operations looking for pockets of Russian troops who have been unintentionally left behind. To the north of Chernihiv, the Ukrainian army is trying to re-establish control of the country's border with Russia, according to the ISW.
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Russia targets full control in the eastRussia targets full control in the east
With recent setbacks elsewhere in the country, Russian officials have said that the focus of its forces is now the "complete liberation" of the Donbas.With recent setbacks elsewhere in the country, Russian officials have said that the focus of its forces is now the "complete liberation" of the Donbas.
The Donbas broadly refers to Ukraine's eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, where Russian-backed separatists held significant territory before Russia's invasion.The Donbas broadly refers to Ukraine's eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, where Russian-backed separatists held significant territory before Russia's invasion.
The UK's Ministry of Defence says Russian forces are consolidating and reorganising as they refocus on the region. They are also reported to be moving mercenaries to the area from private military company Wagner, which has links to the Russian state. Russian troops in the region are said to have made minor gains in recent days, with the focus primarily on air and artillery attacks around Rubizhne.
Russian troops advancing through Izyum are preparing for an attack on Slovyansk, according to the ISW. Analysts at the ISW say Russian troops are hoping to advance down from Izyum towards Slovyansk and encircle Ukrainian forces to the east.
Efforts to capture Slovyansk "will likely prove to be the next pivotal battle of the war", they say. From Slovyansk, Russian units may attempt to link up with other Russian troops to encircle Ukrainian forces in the Donbas. BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale, who is in the Donbas, saw a tailback of traffic stretching 80km (50 miles) on Wednesday as thousands of people try to flee the fighting.
Russian progress slows in the southRussian progress slows in the 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.
Standing in the way of that objective has been the port city of Mariupol, which has been encircled by Russian forces since the start of March.Standing in the way of that objective has been the port city of Mariupol, which has been encircled by Russian forces since the start of March.
Russian forces have been advancing further into the centre of the city, but Ukrainian forces are still in control of some areas. Ukrainian forces remain in control of the city centre despite the steady Russian advance, but analysts say it is unclear how much longer the Ukrainians can hold on.
Life for civilians in Mariupol has been grim. Endless bombardments have left widespread destruction and the city's deputy mayor says people are dying from starvation and dehydration. The UK Ministry of Defence says Russian forces are preventing humanitarian aid from reaching the city, where more than 100,000 people are thought to remain trapped.
To the west, Russia had been attempting to push towards Odesa, with the aim of cutting off Ukraine's access to the Black Sea. Their advances stalled at Mykolaiv, where a counter-attack by Ukrainian troops has pushed Russian forces back towards the city of Kherson. To the west, Russia had been attempting to push towards Odesa, with the aim of cutting off Ukraine's access to the Black Sea.
But Russia continues to launch air strikes against Odesa, with oil facilities targeted in the latest attack on Monday. Their advances stalled at Mykolaiv, where a counter-attack by Ukrainian troops pushed Russian forces back towards the city of Kherson.
But Russia continues to launch air strikes against Odesa, with oil facilities in the city targeted in an attack earlier this week.
By David Brown, Bella Hurrell, Dominic Bailey, Mike Hills, Lucy Rodgers, Paul Sargeant, Mark Bryson, Zoe Bartholomew, Sean Willmott, Sana Dionysiou, Joy Roxas, Gerry Fletcher, Jana Tauschinsk, Debie Loizou and Prina Shah.By David Brown, Bella Hurrell, Dominic Bailey, Mike Hills, Lucy Rodgers, Paul Sargeant, Mark Bryson, Zoe Bartholomew, Sean Willmott, Sana Dionysiou, Joy Roxas, Gerry Fletcher, Jana Tauschinsk, Debie Loizou 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.
From 2 March this daily assessment differentiated between "Assessed Russian-controlled Ukrainian territory" and "Assessed Russian advances in Ukraine", the latter indicating areas where Russians are believed to have launched attacks from but which they do not control.From 2 March this daily assessment differentiated between "Assessed Russian-controlled Ukrainian territory" and "Assessed Russian advances in Ukraine", the latter indicating areas where Russians are believed to have launched attacks from but which they do not control.
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.