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Ukraine war in maps: Tracking the Russian invasion Ukraine war in maps: Tracking the Russian invasion
(6 days later)
Russia is building up troops and military equipment along Ukraine's eastern border ahead of an expected offensive in the Donbas region. Russian forces have launched a new offensive in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, having spent recent weeks concentrating troops and military equipment in the area.
Here are the latest developments:Here are the latest developments:
Ukraine claims it struck a Russian warship in the Black Sea Russia has begun a new large-scale offensive in Donbas
Russia continues preparations for eastern offensive Ukrainian forces are continuing counterattacks around Kharkiv
Ukraine also bolstering forces in Donetsk and Luhansk Final few Ukrainian troops in Mariupol still holding out against Russians
Russian forces close to capturing southern city of Mariupol
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February, but its forces have now fully withdrawn from around the capital Kyiv and northern Ukraine to Belarus and Russia.Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February, but its forces have now fully withdrawn from around the capital Kyiv and northern Ukraine to Belarus and Russia.
Fighting in eastern Ukraine is expected to intensify in the coming weeks as Russia continues to refocus its efforts there, according to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). A large-scale Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine has begun after Russia refocused its efforts there, following its withdrawal from the north of Ukraine.
Russia targets full control in the eastRussia targets full control in the east
Russian officials have said that the focus of their forces is now 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 that the focus of their forces is now 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.
Western officials say they expect Russia to substantially increase the number of troops it has in the Donbas, with satellite imagery showing a build-up of forces currently underway on Ukraine's border. Russia has substantially increased its troop numbers in the Donbas region in recent weeks, with satellite imagery showing a build-up of forces on Ukraine's border and convoys of vehicles travelling towards the frontline.
Russian troops already in the Donbas are continuing to conduct unsuccessful local attacks but have not made any substantial progress, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). According to the Ukrainian government, Russian forces have begun bombarding Ukrainian positions along the 300-mile front in Donbas. But, with the Ukrainian defences well-established and dug in, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe Russia is "unlikely to achieve a major breakthrough" in the coming days.
But the eastern towns of Kramatorsk and Kostiantynivka are likely to become targets for similar levels of violence seen in other urban centres as Russia refocuses its war, the UK MoD says.
War in Ukraine: More coverageWar in Ukraine: More coverage
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ANALYSIS: Why is Russia losing so many tanks? CHILDREN: 'He would see tanks in his dreams'
READ MORE: Full coverage of the crisisREAD MORE: Full coverage of the crisis
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.
Pockets of Ukrainian resistance remain but Russian troops now claim to have control of most of the city. Ukrainian resistance is now restricted to the Azovstal metal works, where the final Ukrainians continue to hold out, having refused to surrender. Russian-backed fighters are reportedly trying to storm the sprawling industrial complex.
Russian claims of a mass Ukrainian surrender there are likely false, say analysts at the ISW.
Russia has been accused of war crimes for its intense shelling of the city, with the local mayor saying more than 20,000 civilians have been killed.Russia has been accused of war crimes for its intense shelling of the city, with the local mayor saying more than 20,000 civilians have been killed.
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 their advances stalled at Mykolaiv.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 their advances stalled at Mykolaiv.
The ISW believes that Ukrainian troops in the area may attempt to retake the city of Kherson in the coming weeks.The ISW believes that Ukrainian troops in the area may attempt to retake the city of Kherson in the coming weeks.
On Thursday, Ukraine claimed to have struck Russia's Black Sea warship Moskva with two cruise missiles, causing severe damage. Russia confirmed the ship had been damaged and crew evacuated but said it was investigating the cause. On Thursday, Ukraine claimed to have struck Russia's Black Sea warship Moskva with two cruise missiles, causing severe damage. The ship later sank as it was being towed to port. Russia claims the damage was caused by ammunition onboard exploding in an unexplained fire.
The 510-crew vessel has led Russia's naval assault on Ukraine, making it an important symbolic and military target.The 510-crew vessel has led Russia's naval assault on Ukraine, making it an important symbolic and military target.
North retaken after Russian retreatNorth retaken after Russian retreat
Ukrainian forces have retaken large areas around Kyiv and on their northern borders with Belarus and western Russia after Russian forces withdrew from the area. Russia abandoned a stalled push towards Kyiv, which had begun in the first days of its invasion, and withdrew its forces from the north of the country.
Successful counterattacks by Ukrainian forces helped retake areas around Kyiv and, as the Russians withdrew, the Ukrainians were able to advance all the way to their northern borders with Belarus and western Russia.
The Russian retreat has allowed a clearer picture to emerge of the huge amount of damage and destruction to lives and towns and villages seized during their push towards the capital, with allegations of war crimes committed by Russian troops.The Russian retreat has allowed a clearer picture to emerge of the huge amount of damage and destruction to lives and towns and villages seized during their push towards the capital, with allegations of war crimes committed by Russian troops.
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.
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.