Putin’s War: The Daily Ukraine Brief --- March 1st - 24hr to 3pm
Click here for a high-resolution map.
*Disclaimer: This map and the information below is informed by reliable and verified open sources, it is meant to convey the general disposition of Russian troops in Ukraine and should not be considered confirmed nor comprehensive. Importantly, do not use this map to plan evacuation routes through Ukraine.
Events of interest:
1. Russian forces who had been stationed at Kherson International Airport for several days launched a major offensive into the city of Kherson, on the Northern bank of the Dnipro river. Footage shows mechanised troops entering the city from the West, near the airport and facing relatively little resistance. It is likely that the majority of Ukrainian troops pulled out of the city prior to the offensive. Russian troops also moved towards Mykolaiv and likely crossed over the Antonovskiy Bridge to connect with troops stationed South of the Dnipro. Recent satellite imagery shows bulldozers digging several lines of graves in the Kherson Cemetery, likely in anticipation of casualties in the city.
2. Russian troops drew significantly closer to the city of Mariupol today, cutting off the city from the West, North and East (small roads leading North-West out of town remain open but are surveilled by Russian forces). There was heavy shelling of residential parts of the city and many neighbourhoods lost heating. A ground offensive has not been made for the city yet, but it is likely to take place in the coming days. Russian media has announced that their forces have established a continuous land-bridge between Crimea and the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic.
3. Russian forces continued their assault on the outskirts of Kharkiv, with additional troops making their way to the outskirts of the city from the East. Further shelling hit civilian neighbourhoods and critical infrastructure in the city, including a hospital. Ukraine still remains in firm control of the city.
4. Additional information was made available about the extent of Russian movements across east Luhansk region, showing significant movement from the Russian border and have reached the town of Staroblisk.
5. Russian forces consolidated and deepened their position to the West of Kyiv, extending their narrow column of control and establishing rear security. Satellite imagery showed large numbers of mechanised units heading toward Kyiv from the Chernobyl region, but the major assault that is likely forthcoming has not yet occurred. Analysis by researchers at the IISS estimated that the convoy could be moving around 15,000 Russian soldiers. Russian state media announced that it would shortly strike military targets in downtown Kyiv and warned civilians of the bombardment.
6. Russian troops continued pushing on the Southern axis towards the city of Zaporizhzhia and are currently clashing with Ukrainian forces in Vasylivka and Tokmak, around 40km from Zaporizhzhia. The nuclear power plant at Enerhodar remains under the control of the Ukrainian military, though it is now surrounded by Russian troops. Negotiations are ongoing between the Russian troops and Ukrainian authorities regarding the situation of the plant.