An Interactive Analysis of Key Battles in the Russo-Ukrainian War

This report provides a chronological analysis of the major ground campaigns since the full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022. Each section examines a pivotal battle, detailing its objectives, timeline, forces involved, and strategic impact. All data, especially casualty figures, are estimates based on open-source intelligence and should be viewed as indicative rather than definitive.

Battle of Kyiv

Key Facts

  • Duration: Feb 24, 2022 – Apr 2, 2022
  • Initiator: Russia
  • Objective (RUS): Rapid decapitation of Ukrainian government; capture capital.
  • Objective (UKR): Defend the capital; preserve national leadership.
  • Outcome: Decisive Ukrainian strategic victory; Russian withdrawal.
  • Key Units (RUS): VDV (Airborne Forces), elements of 35th, 36th, 41st Combined Arms Armies.
  • Key Units (UKR): 72nd Mech Brigade, 4th Rapid Reaction Brigade, Territorial Defense Forces, special forces.

Estimated Losses

Siege of Mariupol

Key Facts

  • Duration: Feb 24, 2022 – May 20, 2022
  • Initiator: Russia
  • Objective (RUS): Secure a land bridge to Crimea; capture key port.
  • Objective (UKR): Tie down Russian forces; defend strategic city.
  • Outcome: Russian pyrrhic victory; city destroyed, thousands of casualties.
  • Key Units (RUS): 8th CAA, 150th Motor Rifle Div, Chechen units, DNR forces.
  • Key Units (UKR): Azov Regiment, 36th Marine Brigade, 56th Motorized Brigade.

Estimated Losses

Kharkiv Counteroffensive (2022)

Key Facts

  • Duration: Sep 6, 2022 – Sep 12, 2022
  • Initiator: Ukraine
  • Objective (UKR): Liberate occupied territory in Kharkiv Oblast; collapse Russian northern front.
  • Objective (RUS): Maintain control of key logistics hubs (Kupiansk, Izyum).
  • Outcome: Decisive Ukrainian operational victory; rapid liberation of thousands of sq km.
  • Key Units (UKR): 92nd Mech Brigade, 25th Airborne Brigade, 80th Air Assault Brigade.
  • Key Units (RUS): Elements of 1st Guards Tank Army, 20th CAA; Rosgvardia units.

Estimated Losses

Kherson Counteroffensive

Key Facts

  • Duration: Aug 29, 2022 – Nov 11, 2022
  • Initiator: Ukraine
  • Objective (UKR): Liberate Kherson city and west bank of Dnipro River.
  • Objective (RUS): Defend the only regional capital captured since Feb 2022.
  • Outcome: Decisive Ukrainian strategic victory; organized Russian withdrawal from west bank.
  • Key Units (UKR): Elements of four army corps; extensive use of HIMARS.
  • Key Units (RUS): VDV units (e.g., 76th Guards Air Assault Div), 49th CAA, 22nd Army Corps.

Estimated Losses

Battle of Bakhmut

Key Facts

  • Duration: Aug 1, 2022 – May 21, 2023
  • Initiator: Russia (primarily Wagner Group)
  • Objective (RUS): Capture city to open advance on Kramatorsk/Slovyansk; attrit Ukrainian forces.
  • Objective (UKR): Inflict maximum casualties on attackers; fix Russian forces.
  • Outcome: Russian tactical victory (city captured); Ukrainian strategic success (high Russian casualties).
  • Key Units (RUS): Wagner Group (incl. convicts), VDV regular units.
  • Key Units (UKR): 93rd Mech Brigade, 3rd Assault Brigade, 46th Airmobile Brigade.

Estimated Losses

2023 Ukrainian Counteroffensive

Key Facts

  • Duration: ~June 2023 – Nov 2023
  • Initiator: Ukraine
  • Objective (UKR): Breach Russian defensive lines ("Surovikin Line"); sever land bridge to Crimea.
  • Objective (RUS): Withstand offensive; inflict maximum attrition on attackers.
  • Outcome: Russian strategic defensive victory; Ukraine made limited tactical gains but failed to achieve breakthrough.
  • Key Units (UKR): Newly formed brigades with Western equipment (Leopard, Bradley), e.g., 47th Mech, 82nd Air Assault.
  • Key Units (RUS): 58th CAA, 5th CAA; extensive use of minefields, Ka-52 helicopters, Lancet drones.

Estimated Losses

Battle of Avdiivka

Key Facts

  • Duration: Oct 2023 – Feb 17, 2024
  • Initiator: Russia
  • Objective (RUS): Encircle and capture heavily fortified city; secure a political victory.
  • Objective (UKR): Defend fortified positions; inflict high casualties on attacking forces.
  • Outcome: Russian victory; Ukrainian withdrawal. Russia suffered very high equipment and personnel losses.
  • Key Units (RUS): 8th CAA, 1st Army Corps (DNR); massive use of artillery and FAB glide bombs.
  • Key Units (UKR): 110th Mech Brigade, 47th Mech Brigade, 3rd Assault Brigade.

Estimated Losses