Introduction
More than three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine war map, the battlefield remains fiercely contested. Russia’s military has made slow but steady progress in the east, while new ceasefire discussions expose growing rifts between Kyiv and Washington. This blog tracks the latest developments, using authoritative maps and verified updates.
Russia’s Push Through the Donbas
Russian forces are advancing in Luhansk and Donetsk, grinding forward mile by mile in a bid to capture the entire Donbas region. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the front lines have barely shifted in two years, but recent movements towards Pokrovsk mark the most significant change in months Ukraine war map.
Ukrainian forces have countered with drone-led ambushes and defensive operations west of Toretsk. Despite suffering over 45,000 Russian troop deaths in the past year, Moscow is relying on manpower and attritional warfare tactics.
Kharkiv Front and Border Incursions
In May 2024, Russia opened a new front by crossing into northern Kharkiv. While several villages were seized during a U.S. weapons aid freeze, Ukrainian forces eventually held firm. Kharkiv remains outside Russian artillery range, though glide bomb attacks from Russian warplanes continue to terrorize civilians.
Ukraine’s Kursk Offensive and Proposed Land Swap
In a surprise move in August 2024, Ukraine launched a cross-border incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, advancing up to 30km and claiming over 1,200 sq km. Though Russia has retaken most of this territory, Ukraine says it still controls 90 sq km as of June 2025.
President Zelensky hinted in February at a potential land swap, offering to exchange Kursk gains for Russian-held parts of Donbas. U.S. President Trump reacted cautiously, suggesting not all territory could be recovered but “some of that land will come back.”
Ceasefire Talks and US-Ukraine Tensions
Peace negotiations remain strained. A February White House confrontation between Trump and Zelensky saw Trump accuse Ukraine war map of “gambling with World War Three.” Though the U.S. has made overtures to Moscow, no breakthrough has emerged.
In April, Washington and Kyiv signed a landmark deal to share future profits from Ukraine’s energy and mineral reserves, including iron-rich Donbas. The deal includes the creation of an international investment fund for reconstruction and aims to balance U.S. aid commitments.
Airbase Strikes Deep Inside Russia
Ukraine has stepped up drone strikes on Russian military infrastructure, claiming $7 billion in damage to bombers and airfields. Targets include bases in Murmansk, Irkutsk, Ryazan, and Amur. The Russian Defence Ministry admitted damage in two locations, but said other attacks were repelled.
Russia’s Invasion Timeline
Russia launched its full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022. Within weeks, troops were on Kyiv’s doorstep. But strong Ukrainian resistance and supply issues halted Russia’s northern advance by October. Ukrainian forces retook Kherson in November 2022.
Since then, the war has settled into a brutal grind in the east. Ukraine war map deaths were last reported in December 2024 at 43,000. Western analysts estimate over 235,000 Russian fatalities since the invasion.
Conclusion
The war in Ukraine shows no signs of resolution. With Russia pressing forward in Donbas and Kharkiv, and Ukraine launching bold counter-offensives in Kursk, the battlefield remains volatile. Ceasefire discussions have stalled, and U.S.-Ukraine relations are increasingly fragile. The coming months could redefine not only Ukraine’s borders but global power dynamics.
For a deeper look at the political stakes, read our analysis on the Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations or explore our timeline of key conflict milestones.
