Interactive map: How the Ukraine war is developing, day by day
The Russian army has invaded Ukraine. Fighting continues in the southeast. Click through the map to see the current course and the main events of the war at a glance.
What we are showing on our Ukraine map and why it looks different from other media outlets’ projects
This war is different. Although men and machines are also clashing in this one, the global public can this time follow the developments in nearly real time, unlike in past conflicts. At the NZZ, too, we are using the flood of information reaching us from Ukraine to give you the most up-to-date picture of the situation possible. Our interactive map above depicts recent events, territorial gains and losses, satellite imagery, and the position of Russian troops. It is an attempt to map the reality of war.
However, reality is always more complex than what can be represented on a map. Maps always show only a certain point of view, and can only approximate reality. Therefore, we want to be clear here about how our map has been created, so readers can understand what it says and what it does not.
Table of contents
- What events do we show on the map?
- Which events do we deliberately not show?
- How do we make sure that the events are as described?
- How up-to-date is the map?
- How do we show which areas are under whose control?
- Our map depicts Russian troop movements. How do we know where which unit is located?
- We show Russian troops in BTG units. What does that mean?
- Are we developing the map further?
What events do we show on the map?
The short answer: anything relevant to understanding the war that we have been able to verify. The detailed answer, on the other hand, is more complex and – because war is constantly changing – in a constant state of flux.
«Relevant» to us means, for example, the locations in which combat operations are taking place; or strategically important targets that have been attacked or captured such as airports, power plants, transmission towers or bridges. We do not report the destruction of individual buildings unless the attack has symbolic value or has claimed an exceptionally large number of victims. For example: In the embattled city of Mariupol, a theater with hundreds of civilians sheltering in its basements was destroyed.
Which events do we deliberately not show?
We do not show deaths, events that serve (Russian or Ukrainian) propaganda, or those that violate international law. For example, we do not show pictures in which captured soldiers are recognizable.
» Read more about when and why we publish images of dead people here.
How do we make sure that the events are as described?
We record on the map only those attacks that we have been able to substantiate through multiple independent sources. Our sources include Twitter, Facebook, Telegram and news agencies. We also include communications from local authorities in our research, but we treat this information with caution.
We check every picture and video to see if it was taken at the specified location and if the specified time is plausible. For verification purposes we refer to satellite images or Google Street View images, but we also rely on other reliable research networks (such as Bellingcat) or private persons (so-called Osint specialists, more about this here).
» Read more about how Osint experts verify events.
» Read more about how you can recognize fake news on social media yourself.
How up-to-date is the map?
We collect current news on a daily basis, even on weekends. In some cases, we are aware of events shortly after they occur, but are unable to verify them until the following day, using further material.
How do we show which areas are under whose control?
There is no official information from the Ukrainian or Russian side regarding which areas are under whose control. And if such information was provided, it would not be reliable. Maps have always been misused for political purposes (China, for example, depicts maritime areas as belonging to China in order to strengthen its claim to them).
At the same time, the nature of warfare has also changed. Attackers do not drive across forests and meadows with a broad front, seeking to annex square meter after square meter, as they did in World War II, for example. Instead, combat operations focus on strategically important roads, cities and facilities. Maps showing large areas held by Russian troops therefore often do not represent the actual influence of a warring party.
This is illustrated by the following example. The first map is from the Ukrainian organization Liveuamap (more on that later). Instead of entire areas, the creators often mark only individual streets as being held by Russian troops. Information provided by the American Institute for the Study of War appears to show far greater Russian successes for the same day. On the latest map published by Russian newspaper Readovka, areas marked in color as the «war zone» give the impression that large parts of eastern Ukraine are under Russian control.
Same day, different maps
For our map we use data from Liveuamap. This organization emerged in 2014 in Ukraine during the annexation of Crimea. Since then, the staff has dealt with various conflicts both in and outside Europe. The NZZ has also relied on its data for other conflicts.
Our map depicts Russian troop movements. How do we know where which unit is located?
We rely on information from Henry Schlottman, a former U.S. Army analyst. Using known troop positions before the war began, pictures of (destroyed) Russian war equipment, information from prisoners and other public data, he is able to record the approximate position of each unit. Despite all this information, the data remain approximations.
We show Russian troops in BTG units. What does that mean?
The Russian army relies on so-called battalion tactical groups (BTGs). A BTG consists of various individual units and is capable of performing tasks without additional support. It is a central organizational unit in the Russian army and typically consists of infantry, tank companies, artillery, air defense, logistics and other support units, for example.
Are we developing the map further?
Yes, the map is constantly being adapted and expanded to meet changing needs. We will also update this article on an ongoing basis.
Do you have any further questions about our map? Write to us at visuals@nzz.ch.
Interactive Map: Simon Huwiler, Michel Grautstück, Kaspar Manz, Adina Renner and Roland Shaw. Data collection and verification: Julia Monn, Simon Huwiler, Manuela Paganini, Nikolai Thelitz, Eike Hoppmann, Florian Seliger, Forrest Rogers and Simon Haas.
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