Ukraine War: Where are Russia making gains?

Sky's Defence and Security Analyst, Professor Michael Clarke assess where Russian forces are making gains across Ukraine.

Data from the Institute for the Study of War, shared with Sky News, shows detail of where Russia has reinforced it's positions near Kherson ahead of a potential Ukrainian strike.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has seen Russia making gains in several regions in the country's east. Over the past few years, pro-Russian separatists have been fighting Ukrainian government forces in the Donbass region, which is made up of the two provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk. The fighting has resulted in a de facto partition of the region, with the separatists controlling a significant portion of the territory.

In recent months, there have been reports of a buildup of Russian military forces along the border with Ukraine, fueling concerns about a possible escalation of the conflict. Despite several ceasefires and peace agreements, the violence in the Donbass region has continued and has resulted in a large number of casualties and displacement of civilians.

While the exact extent of Russian involvement in the conflict remains a matter of debate, it is widely believed that the separatists are receiving support from Moscow, including military equipment and personnel. The ongoing conflict has had a significant impact on the local population, with many civilians caught in the crossfire and facing difficulties accessing basic necessities such as food, water, and healthcare.