In recent weeks, Russia has lost significant positions it initially seized after its invasion of Ukraine.
When Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion in February, the Kremlin expected a quick takeover of Ukraine. However, Russia was met with surprisingly strong resistance from the Ukrainian people, who fought an intense battle to defend their country.
As the invasion continues, Russian military forces are largely confined to eastern Ukraine, including the Donbass region, with a report released Sunday by the British Ministry of Defense saying that “Russia’s offensive in Donbass has lost momentum. and is significantly behind schedule “
Maps published by the Ministry of Defense in recent weeks show exactly where Russia has lost ground to Ukrainian forces.
Maps published by the British Ministry of Defense show where Ukrainian soldiers have detained Russian troops in recent weeks. Above, Ukrainian soldiers trained near the Dnipropetrovsk region on May 9. John Moore / Getty Images
March 29
In late March, Russia controlled most of Ukraine’s territory along its border, extending westward to areas northwest of Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, and its suburbs, where Russian soldiers are alleged to have committed horrific war crimes. in Bucha, photos of which appeared only days after the publication of this map.
Large parts of Ukraine were also in dispute at the time, including parts of northern Ukraine, where Russian troops appear to be heading for Kyiv, and areas south near Nikolaev.
April 4
One week later, on April 4, Russian troops largely withdrew from areas near Kyiv, a huge victory for Ukraine. The Ukrainians had also returned the city of Chernigov.
Ukrainians have won victories in northern Ukraine, advancing in areas bordering Belarus, a key ally of Russia in the conflict. Much of this territory remained contested in early April.
Further south, Ukraine has regained areas near Nikolaev, a city where Russian troops appear to have abandoned their efforts to retake.
April 11
By April 11, Ukrainians had recaptured most of the northeast, including the towns of Krolevets, Konostop and Romney. They also regained the disputed area on the border with Belarus. They also challenged areas previously held by Russia around Kharkiv.
April 18
Russia has expanded its control over the areas it held in Donbass, particularly in the Luhansk region, until April 18.
April 25
Ukraine regained areas west of Kharkiv by April 25th, but neither side has made significant progress in the rest of the country.
May 2
By May 2, Ukrainian troops had recaptured areas around Kramatorsk, a city of more than 150,000 in the Donetsk region.
May 9
By Russia ‘s Victory Day, much of the country’ s territory once held in Ukraine has been restored, with little progress made in the Donbass region. The fighting was controlled to the eastern border, and neither side made much progress in the week before Victory Day, although Ukraine did take over some disputed lands in Donbas.
May 16
Recent updates from British intelligence show that Ukraine is making progress, looking to retake Kharkiv. Troops defending the area said on Sunday that they had pushed Russian troops all the way to the border. More land west of Donetsk is also now in dispute between the two countries.
Fighting continues east on Monday. Russian troops tried to attack Sumy early Monday morning, but failed, according to the head of the Sumy regional state administration.
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