May 10 |
russian progress
In the two and a half months since the start of the Ukraine invasion, the Russian offensive has changed strategies: at first it sought to take control of the major cities, then focused its efforts on the separatist region of Donbas and on securing the borders.
Since then, the frontline has moved in line with modest but systematic Russian advances that have only met with resistance at a spot that's been highly militarized since 2014, when Russia annexed the Crimea peninsula.
The change in the frontline can be seen in the following maps, which show the situation on the ground every two weeks since Russia changed its strategy on March 25. The red color shows areas under Russian control, which have been expanding for the last month and to half.
Donbas is an area covering around 52,000 square kilometers, roughly the size of Costa Rica.
It is divided into two
oblasts
(administrative units) – Donetsk and Luhansk.
Along the northwest, it borders the Kharkiv region, home to the city of Izyum, which is the starting point for Russia's attempt to encircle Ukrainian defenders holding the frontline.
From there, Russian troops have been trying to advance towards Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, the military headquarters and de facto capital of Donetsk, although they have had limited success.
March 24
Kharkiv
Russian
control
Russian
advance
Izyum
Severodonetsk
UKRAINE
Luhansk
DONBAS
Donetsk
RUSSIA
40km
Mariupol
When the Kremlin's troops announced that their target was eastern Ukraine, they were already controlling much of Donetsk, Luhansk and the area extending to Kharkiv.
April 8
Kharkiv
RUSSIA
Ukrainian
counterattack
Izyum
Severodonetsk
UKRAINE
Luhansk
DONBAS
Donetsk
Mariupol
Two weeks later, the situation on the front had barely changed after a reorganization of the invading troops except in the area of Izyum, the new Russian center of operations.
April 22
Kharkiv
RUSSIA
Izyum
Severodonetsk
UKRAINE
Luhansk
DONBAS
Donetsk
Mariupol
The siege of Mariupol, which made Ukrainian defenders retreat to an industrial site, allowed Russia to free up troops to cement control over the northern end of the city.
May 8
Kharkiv
RUSSIA
Izyum
Severodonetsk
UKRAINE
Luhansk
DONBAS
Donetsk
Mariupol
Despite Ukrainian counterattacks that are gaining back territory near Kharkiv, the areas under Russian control increasingly encircle the Donbas border
Hitler's jaw in a cigar box: Why Victory Day ended one war and started another
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believes that the Kremlin's forces near Izyum are regrouping and resupplying before resuming offensive operations in the southeast and southwest.
In the south of the country, near Crimea and the Black Sea, there is a similar situation: slow but constant Russian advances and reinforced positions in places like Kherson, which was swiftly captured in the early days of the invasion.
Ukrainian counterattacks have barely made a dent on Russian forces, who have increased the territory under their control week after week.
Moscow has been concentrating anti-aircraft and missile systems in the northern area of Crimea, said the ISW.
This could be a prelude to summarize offensive operations towards Zaporizhzhia and Kryvyi Rih, in central Ukraine.
March 24
Izyum
Dnipro
UKRAINE
Zhaporizhia
Mariupol
Melitopol
Kherson
odessa
Sea of Azov
CRIMEA
RUSSIA
black sea
100 km
April 8
Izyum
Dnipro
UKRAINE
Zhaporizhia
Mariupol
Melitopol
Kherson
odessa
Sea of Azov
CRIMEA
RUSSIA
black sea
April 22
Izyum
Dnipro
UKRAINE
Zhaporizhia
Mariupol
Melitopol
Kherson
odessa
Sea of Azov
CRIMEA
RUSSIA
black sea
May 8
Izyum
Dnipro
UKRAINE
Zhaporizhia
Mariupol
Melitopol
Kherson
odessa
Sea of Azov
CRIMEA
v
black sea
