Ukraine Frontline Changes — Territory Timeline
A chronological overview of territorial control shifts since Russia's full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. Each phase covers key advances, retreats, and counteroffensives.
Interactive Frontline Map
The red line shows the approximate contact line. Red-shaded areas indicate Russian-controlled territory. Data source: DeepStateMap / ISW. Run npx tsx scripts/fetch-frontline.ts to refresh.
Initial Invasion & Multi-Front Assault
Russia launched a multi-front invasion. Columns advanced from Belarus toward Kyiv, from Crimea into Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, and from the east into Kharkiv, Sumy, and Donetsk oblasts. At peak, Russia controlled ~120,000 km² of Ukrainian territory.
- ›Feb 24: Invasion begins on four axes — north (Kyiv), northeast (Kharkiv), south (Crimea/Kherson), east (Donbas)
- ›Feb 25: Russian forces reach Kyiv suburbs (Hostomel, Irpin, Bucha)
- ›Mar 2: Kherson city falls — first major city captured
- ›Mar 9: Melitopol (Zaporizhzhia) captured
- ›Mar 16: Mariupol under full siege (steel works holdout until May)
Kyiv Withdrawal & Eastern Pivot
Russia withdrew forces from northern Ukraine (Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy oblasts) in late March, citing a pivot to Donbas. Ukrainian forces liberated Bucha, Hostomel, Irpin. Russia concentrated forces in the east for the Donbas offensive.
- ›Mar 28: Russia announces withdrawal from Kyiv and Chernihiv direction
- ›Apr 1: Kyiv oblast fully liberated — Bucha massacre discovered
- ›Apr 18: Renewed Russian offensive in Donbas (Battle of Donbas begins)
- ›May 20: Azovstal steelworks defenders surrender — Mariupol fully occupied
Donbas Grinding Offensive
Russia captured Luhansk oblast nearly in full (Severodonetsk fell Jun 24, Lysychansk Jul 2). Advances in Donetsk were slow and costly. Russia maintained control of the "land bridge" connecting Crimea to Russian-held Donbas along the Sea of Azov coast.
- ›Jun 24: Severodonetsk falls after weeks of urban fighting
- ›Jul 2: Lysychansk falls — all of Luhansk oblast under Russian control
- ›Jul–Aug: Advances halted around Siversk, Bakhmut, and Avdiivka
- ›Aug: HIMARS deliveries begin degrading Russian logistics significantly
Kharkiv & Kherson Counteroffensives
Ukraine launched its most successful operations of the war. The Kharkiv counteroffensive (September) liberated ~8,000 km² in days, including Izium — a key Russian logistics hub. The Kherson counteroffensive (September–November) liberated the right-bank of Kherson and Kherson city by November 11.
- ›Sep 6: Kharkiv counteroffensive begins — Russian lines collapse rapidly
- ›Sep 10: Izium liberated
- ›Sep 11: ~8,000 km² liberated in Kharkiv oblast within a week
- ›Oct–Nov: Kherson counteroffensive isolates right-bank forces
- ›Nov 11: Kherson city liberated — Ukraine's largest city freed from occupation
Winter Stalemate & Battle of Bakhmut
Winter brought partial stalemate. Wagner Group forces and Russian regulars pushed into Bakhmut in a months-long attritional battle. Soledar fell in January. Bakhmut fell in May 2023 after intense fighting. Ukraine maintained flanking positions around the city.
- ›Jan 13: Soledar falls to Wagner Group forces
- ›Feb: Wagner Group reported to be taking ~80% casualties for minimal terrain gain
- ›May 20: Bakhmut fully seized by Russian/Wagner forces
- ›Jun 10: Prigozhin (Wagner) publicly accuses Russian MoD of ammunition shortages
Ukrainian S. Counteroffensive & Wagner Mutiny
Ukraine launched a major counteroffensive along multiple axes in June 2023, particularly the Zaporizhzhia (toward Tokmak) and Donetsk fronts. Progress was slower than expected due to dense Russian minefields and fortifications. By year's end Ukraine had pierced one defensive belt around Robotyne but had not broken through to Tokmak.
- ›Jun 4: Ukrainian counteroffensive begins
- ›Jun 23: Wagner Group mutiny — Prigozhin's column advances towards Moscow then stops
- ›Jun 26: Mutiny ends, Prigozhin exiled to Belarus
- ›Aug 23: Prigozhin dies in plane crash
- ›Sep: Robotyne liberated in Zaporizhzhia oblast
Avdiivka Fall & Eastern Pressure
Ukraine withdrew from Avdiivka in February 2024 after months of intense fighting. Russian forces subsequently pushed along the Pokrovsk axis. Chasiv Yar became the new major flashpoint. US military aid delays (congressional impasse) contributed to ammunition shortages.
- ›Feb 17: Avdiivka withdrawal — tactically significant Russian gain
- ›Apr: U.S. aid package approved after 6-month congressional delay
- ›May–Jun: Russian advances in Kharkiv oblast (Vovchansk, Lyptsi)
- ›Jul–Aug: Heavy fighting around Chasiv Yar and Toretsk
Kursk Offensive & Withdrawal
Ukraine launched a surprise incursion into Kursk Oblast, Russia in August 2024 — the first time Russian territory was seized by a foreign force since WWII. Ukraine held ~1,200 km² of Russian territory at peak. North Korean troops deployed to assist Russia. Ukraine conducted controlled withdrawal from most Kursk positions by early 2025.
- ›Aug 6: Ukraine launches Kursk incursion — multiple columns cross Russian border
- ›Aug 12: Ukraine controls ~1,200 km² in Kursk Oblast at peak
- ›Sep–Oct: Russia deploys North Korean troops to support Kursk lines
- ›Nov: Ukraine withdraws from some Kursk positions under Russian-North Korean pressure
- ›Jan 2025: Most Kursk bridgehead positions relinquished; some areas retained for leverage
2025–2026 Eastern Front & Diplomatic Backdrop
Russian forces continued gradual advances in eastern Donetsk, capturing Kurakhove (Jan 2025) and pushing toward Pokrovsk — a critical rail and logistics hub. Chasiv Yar fell under intense Russian pressure in mid-2025. US-brokered ceasefire diplomacy intensified but no agreement was reached. The frontline remained active with ~1,000 km of contact line.
- ›Jan 2025: Kurakhove falls to Russian forces
- ›Mar 2025: US shuttle diplomacy begins; Riyadh talks between US-Russia
- ›Apr 2025: Chasiv Yar falls under Russian control after months of fighting
- ›Jun 2025: Pokrovsk under severe pressure; Ukraine reinforces defenses
- ›Nov 2025: US proposes provisional ceasefire framework; Ukraine and Russia reject full terms
- ›Mar 2026: No formal ceasefire; active front continues; diplomatic track ongoing
Live Interactive Maps
For real-time frontline positions, see: LiveUAMap and DeepState Map (Ukrainian analytical team). Our timeline is based on historical phases and verified sources.