As Ukraine enters its fourth year defending itself from Russia’s full-scale invasion, maps have become essential tools in understanding this evolving conflict. From frontline shifts to territorial gains, here is an in-depth look at this war through cartographic insight and recent developments.
Territorial Control in an Overview Format.
As of August 2025, Russia controlled approximately 114,500 km2, or 19% of Ukraine’s territory–encompassing Crimea, Donbas, and parts of southern and eastern Ukraine. Donbas fell under Russian control for 88% encompassing Luhansk and 75% of Donetsk; Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions held approximately 74% while Ukraine still controlled around 14,500 km2 each region; small footholds also existed in Kharkiv Sumy Mykolaiv Dnipropetrovsk regions for smallholds on both counts; Al Jazeera +14 Wall Street Journal +14 Crisis Group +14 and Reuters +14
Timeline of Key Territorial Shifts in Canada
Mid-2022 to Late 2022: Ukraine pushes back Russian advances around Kyiv and Kherson to gain significant ground. Mid-2023-2024: Russia captures Bakhmut and Avdiivka to tighten control near these key locations (Wikipedia).
May 2024: Russia launches an offensive in Kharkiv region, opening up a new front (AP News). August 2024: Ukraine undertakes a rare incursion across Russia’s Kursk region (Institute for the Study of War), with notable results (AP News; WIRED +14);
Mid-2025: Russia takes full control over Luhansk and Chasiv Yar. Donetsk advances continue. Ukraine launches Operation Spider Web deep drone strikes targeting Russian-held positions (AP News). Hot Bed Battles & Strategic Movements.
Chasiv Yar (Donetsk Oblast) was captured by Russian forces early August 2025 and their capture opened the way to Kramatorsk and Sloviansk as key Ukrainian strongholds, according to Institute for the Study of War, Wikipedia and Institute for Defence Analysis et al (IIIW+3)
Kharkiv Oblast: Beginning late 2024, Russian forces established bridgeheads across the Oskil River and targeted Kupiansk city – inflicting additional pressure on northeastern Ukrainian defenses and creating renewed momentum against them. For more details please see Wikipedia’s entry about the offensive.
Kostiantynivka (Sumy Oblast): Russian troops captured this border village in June 2025, advancing approximately 125 km2 of territory and placing Sumy city within artillery range; according to Al Jazeera and Wikipedia as well as Institute for the Study of War.
Velyka Novosilka (Donetsk Oblast): Ukrainian defenses were nearly overwhelmed in January 2025, leading to Russian capture of this town by late January. To learn more about what has transpired at Velyka Novosilka please see Wikipedia, where there is more detailed information.
Dnieper Campaign (Southern Ukraine): Conflict continues over river islands and right bank territory in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, reflecting strategic efforts to control river access and supply routes (Wikipedia: 1+1).
Mapping Tools & Visual Tracking
Cartographers, analysts, and independent data groups have turned to interactive tools in order to respond immediately to shifting conditions: cartographers, analysts, and independent data groups have taken advantage of real-time tracking via interactive platforms that reflect changes that occur quickly in real-time:
ISW (Institute for the Study of War) offers up-to-date control-of-terrain maps, such as 3D views and street level detail, that are regularly added onto their ArcGIS StoryMaps contul contul +6. This feature can also be found on Wikipedia +6.
Crisis Group provides an interactive frontline tracker, with daily troop movement updates from CSIS; additionally CSIS hosts interactive maps displaying troop disposition and shifting frontlines (CSIS+1).
ACLED’s Ukraine Conflict Monitor tracks patterns of political violence and incidents throughout the country since 2022. It also serves to measure trends.
The Deep State map, developed by Ukrainian open-source analysts, has become a public and government resource, widely acclaimed for its accuracy and regular updates. According to some reports it even assisted Russian troops in surrendering. WIRED’s coverage can be found here.
Conclusion
Through maps, Ukraine’s war becomes more than an abstract conflict; it becomes an ever-evolving series of movements on an ever-shifting chessboard. Territorial measurements, significant battles and troop shifts provide tangible proof of an evolving conflict; these visual tools also document gains and losses while providing key insight into strategic challenges, humanitarian evacuation routes and international diplomacy.
As the dynamics on the ground continue to shift, maps remain indispensable tools in keeping citizens, journalists, and policymakers grounded in reality.