Russian forces have paused in the south, where they gained significant territory, after advancing from the Crimean Peninsula. Russian forces may be regrouping, before they march further.
During 25 February, Russian forces were reported to have encircled Konotop and Sumy, but Ukrainian forces appear to have partially broken the encirclements.
In the east, near the oblast of Luhansk, Russian forces have advanced about 15 miles further west, while it appears that Russian and Russian-backed forces of the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic were forced to retreat from several villages they had captured near the border.
Russian forces still threaten Chernihiv, but were apparently forced to withdraw from border regions they had conquered on the east bank of the Dnieper River, which forces were supposed to support the advance to Kyiv. Significantly, fighting has been reported within Kyiv, as Russian vanguards entered the capital.
To better see Russian gains and reversals, compare the map below, showing the situation from the start of 25 February, with the map above.
Blog Editor Patrick Cloutier is the author of Mussolini’s War in the East 1941-1943.
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