Russia’s demand for Ukraine to cede the Donbas region before halting fighting has sparked a question: where to draw a border that both sides can accept. However, finding a solution is complicated due to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s rejection of the proposal.
Ukraine’s goal is to restore its pre-2014 borders, which Russia invaded nearly a decade ago. Mr. Putin has shown little willingness to end his pursuit of the Donbas.
The 750-mile front has violently shifted over the years, with Russia making territorial gains in some areas and losing others. Since 2014, Russia’s advances into Ukrainian territory can be summarized as follows:
– 2014-2022: Russian forces seized Crimea, annexed it, and took control of eastern Ukraine through separatist groups.
– 2022 Russian invasion: Russia made sweeping gains, but later withdrew from northern Ukraine to focus on the Donbas.
– 2022 Ukrainian counteroffensives: Ukrainian forces recaptured the Kharkiv region, pushed back Russian forces in the south, and regained control of Kherson city.
Today, Russia continues to push forward across the front, despite failing to make significant breakthroughs. Recent gains include more than 200 square miles captured in July, mostly through infantry assaults. However, Ukraine still controls over 2,500 square miles of territory in Donetsk, with heavily fortified areas and major cities like Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
A Ukrainian withdrawal from this area would mean losing defensive positions, putting at least 200,000 civilians at risk.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/08/19/world/europe/ukraine-russia-frontline-maps.html