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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Ukraine war: Who is winning? | Ukraine war: Who is winning? |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Ukrainian forces have made rapid gains in recent days and have recaptured territory in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine. | Ukrainian forces have made rapid gains in recent days and have recaptured territory in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine. |
| However, Russian forces still hold about a fifth of the country. | However, Russian forces still hold about a fifth of the country. |
| How has the conflict changed? | How has the conflict changed? |
| Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February, surrounding the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. It also launched attacks in the south, east and north of the country. | Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February, surrounding the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. It also launched attacks in the south, east and north of the country. |
| In early April, Ukrainian forces retook large areas around Kyiv, after Russia abandoned its push towards the capital. | In early April, Ukrainian forces retook large areas around Kyiv, after Russia abandoned its push towards the capital. |
| Russia has since been focusing its military operations in the south, east and north-east of Ukraine, seizing large areas. | Russia has since been focusing its military operations in the south, east and north-east of Ukraine, seizing large areas. |
| However, things changed dramatically at the start of September. | However, things changed dramatically at the start of September. |
| In a decisive offensive in the north-east, Ukraine drove back Russian forces. It claims to have regained 3,000 square kilometres (1,158 sq miles) of territory around the city of Kharkiv alone. | In a decisive offensive in the north-east, Ukraine drove back Russian forces. It claims to have regained 3,000 square kilometres (1,158 sq miles) of territory around the city of Kharkiv alone. |
| Its forces have also retaken territory in Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine. Since July, the region had been entirely occupied by Russia. | Its forces have also retaken territory in Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine. Since July, the region had been entirely occupied by Russia. |
| In total, Ukraine says it has retaken more than 8,000 sq km (3,088 sq miles) from Russian control in September - its most significant territorial gains since the war started. | In total, Ukraine says it has retaken more than 8,000 sq km (3,088 sq miles) from Russian control in September - its most significant territorial gains since the war started. |
| The cities of Izyum and Kupiansk, which Ukraine says were retaken on 10 September, were both key supply hubs for the Russian forces. As such, these represent important strategic gains. | The cities of Izyum and Kupiansk, which Ukraine says were retaken on 10 September, were both key supply hubs for the Russian forces. As such, these represent important strategic gains. |
| There is also a Ukrainian counter-attack around the Kherson region in the south of the country. | There is also a Ukrainian counter-attack around the Kherson region in the south of the country. |
| The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) says Ukrainian troops have inflicted a "major operational defeat" on Russian forces. | The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) says Ukrainian troops have inflicted a "major operational defeat" on Russian forces. |
| Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute said Russian positions in Kharkiv had suffered a "total collapse". | Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute said Russian positions in Kharkiv had suffered a "total collapse". |
| The Russian withdrawal was, he said, "certainly the most dramatic reverse that we've seen from the Russians since they retreated from Kyiv in April". | The Russian withdrawal was, he said, "certainly the most dramatic reverse that we've seen from the Russians since they retreated from Kyiv in April". |
| Ukraine war in maps: Tracking the Russian invasion | Ukraine war in maps: Tracking the Russian invasion |
| How has Russia responded? | How has Russia responded? |
| Russia confirmed that its forces retreated from Izyum and Kupiansk. It said this was a strategic withdrawal to "regroup". | Russia confirmed that its forces retreated from Izyum and Kupiansk. It said this was a strategic withdrawal to "regroup". |
| It has also said it will continue to target these areas with military strikes. | It has also said it will continue to target these areas with military strikes. |
| The Russian army appears to have abandoned large quantities of equipment and ammunition during the withdrawal. | The Russian army appears to have abandoned large quantities of equipment and ammunition during the withdrawal. |
| Ukraine war: Houses flooded after missiles hit major dam | Ukraine war: Houses flooded after missiles hit major dam |
| Ukraine war: Kharkiv blackouts caused by targeted Russian attacks - Zelensky | Ukraine war: Kharkiv blackouts caused by targeted Russian attacks - Zelensky |
| How much territory does Russia still occupy? | How much territory does Russia still occupy? |
| Russia still holds about 20% of Ukraine, according to the ISW. | Russia still holds about 20% of Ukraine, according to the ISW. |
| The areas are largely in the eastern Donbas region and in the south of mainland Ukraine, as well as the Crimea peninsula which Russia annexed in 2014. | The areas are largely in the eastern Donbas region and in the south of mainland Ukraine, as well as the Crimea peninsula which Russia annexed in 2014. |
| The Donbas is a mainly Russian-speaking area, and after Russia seized Crimea in 2014, pro-Russian forces captured more than a third of the region. It created two so-called people's republics there. | The Donbas is a mainly Russian-speaking area, and after Russia seized Crimea in 2014, pro-Russian forces captured more than a third of the region. It created two so-called people's republics there. |
| Areas in the west of the country, including Lviv, have experienced missile attacks, but no attempt by Russian forces to take and occupy ground. | Areas in the west of the country, including Lviv, have experienced missile attacks, but no attempt by Russian forces to take and occupy ground. |
| What does Russia want? | What does Russia want? |
| Russia refuses to recognise its invasion as a war, and says it is undertaking a "special military operation" in Ukraine. | Russia refuses to recognise its invasion as a war, and says it is undertaking a "special military operation" in Ukraine. |
| The Kremlin said its operations would continue "until all the tasks originally set" had been achieved. | The Kremlin said its operations would continue "until all the tasks originally set" had been achieved. |
| When launching the invasion in February, President Vladimir Putin said his goal was to "demilitarise Ukraine". | When launching the invasion in February, President Vladimir Putin said his goal was to "demilitarise Ukraine". |
| One objective was to ensure Ukraine didn't join the Western defensive alliance, Nato. | One objective was to ensure Ukraine didn't join the Western defensive alliance, Nato. |
| Why did Russia invade Ukraine | Why did Russia invade Ukraine |
| Ukraine war: What will Russia's losses mean for Putin? | Ukraine war: What will Russia's losses mean for Putin? |
| Russia's initial aim was to overrun Ukraine and depose its government. | Russia's initial aim was to overrun Ukraine and depose its government. |
| However, it now appears to have limited its ambitions to securing land in Ukraine's east and south. | However, it now appears to have limited its ambitions to securing land in Ukraine's east and south. |
| What does Ukraine want? | What does Ukraine want? |
| Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said his main goal is to drive all Russian troops out, to "de-occupy our whole territory". | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said his main goal is to drive all Russian troops out, to "de-occupy our whole territory". |
| Mr Zelensky has appealed for more funding and equipment to retain the areas retaken from Russia. | Mr Zelensky has appealed for more funding and equipment to retain the areas retaken from Russia. |
| Western shipments of weaponry are being used heavily by Ukrainian forces. | Western shipments of weaponry are being used heavily by Ukrainian forces. |
| How many people have died? | |
| Both sides have suffered losses, although neither publish exact numbers. | Both sides have suffered losses, although neither publish exact numbers. |
| Ukraine claims it has killed more than 50,000 Russian troops, and at the end of August said it had lost nearly 9,000 military personnel since the start of the conflict. | Ukraine claims it has killed more than 50,000 Russian troops, and at the end of August said it had lost nearly 9,000 military personnel since the start of the conflict. |
| Russia rarely discloses its own troop fatalities. Its most recent death count was in March, when it said 1,351 Russian soldiers had died since the invasion began. | Russia rarely discloses its own troop fatalities. Its most recent death count was in March, when it said 1,351 Russian soldiers had died since the invasion began. |
| In July, US officials estimated that about 15,000 Russian soldiers had died. | In July, US officials estimated that about 15,000 Russian soldiers had died. |
| Ukraine weapons: What military equipment is the world giving? | Ukraine weapons: What military equipment is the world giving? |
| Ukraine: What are Himars missiles and are they changing the war? | Ukraine: What are Himars missiles and are they changing the war? |
| Civilians have also died. At the start of September the United Nations corroborated more than 5,700 deaths. | Civilians have also died. At the start of September the United Nations corroborated more than 5,700 deaths. |
| However, it said the actual number is likely to be considerably higher. | However, it said the actual number is likely to be considerably higher. |