March 15-22 live war map: Russian forces go all-in ahead of talks with Trump

Kursk region or Sumy region?

The Ukrainian Armed Forces continued their withdrawal from the Kursk region while simultaneously taking up advantageous positions on commanding heights along the border — partly in the Sumy region, and partly to the south of Sudzha. In particular, the Defence Forces established positions on both banks of the Loknya River, thereby preventing the advance of Russian forces moving along the riverbed toward Basivka.

Ukraine Russia war live map, March 15-22, Photo: Espreso

At present, we are holding positions in Hoholivka, located on the shore of the reservoir on the Oleshna River, and are also occupying the high ground near the village of Guevo. Russia is not only attacking Ukrainian positions but is also constantly attempting to break through in small groups along various sections of the Sumy region border. One such attempt near the village of Demydivka ended with the Defence Forces not only repelling the Russian troops, but also crossing the border in pursuit and securing positions on the outskirts of the village. However, the situation in this area continues to change dynamically.

Front on the Oskil River has expanded again

After the Defence Forces carried out a series of counterattacks on the Kupiansk front and retook the village of Fyholivka, part of the positions near Zapadne, as well as areas north of Kupiansk on the left bank of the Oskil River, Russian forces began searching for new weak spots in our defenses. As a result, they managed to cross the Oskil even further north and entrenched themselves between the villages of Kamyanka and Krasne Pershe, pushing about 2 kilometers deep and 2.5 kilometers wide into Ukrainian territory.

Ukraine Russia war live map, March 15-22, Photo: Espreso

If the Ukrainian Armed Forces are unable to quickly eliminate this new foothold, the enemy will attempt to expand it both northward — toward the Russian border and the village of Topoli, which they had captured earlier — and southward, in the direction of Fyholivka and Dvorichna.

On the other hand, at this stage we are mostly seeing small sabotage and reconnaissance groups crossing to the right bank of the Oskil and building up in the area. However, the Russians currently lack the capability to transfer armored vehicles or launch larger-scale offensives there.

New threats on the Lyman front

Although this direction has consistently remained one of the most active, Russian forces have been unable for several months to break through from Terny to Yampolivka, where they have been stalled since January. They have also failed to expand their foothold on the right bank of the Zherebets River near Ivanivka.

As a result, in an attempt to show any progress in their offensive, they are trying to establish new bridgeheads on the right bank of the Zherebets further upstream. In February, the Russian enemy expanded their zone of control by several square kilometers near Makiivka. And this week, Russian forces attacked from the Zhuravka Ravine and captured Novolubivka, advancing 1.5 kilometers.

Their next step will be to link the three bridgeheads and form a wide front stretching nearly 20 kilometers, allowing them to advance toward Lyman not only from the east but also from the north.

Ukraine Russia war live map, March 15-22, Photo: Espreso

Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka fronts frozen in fire

Despite a third of all battles on the frontline taking place in these sectors, Russian forces have been unable to break through our defenses. A 10–15-kilometre-wide “kill zone” established by Ukrainian drones has neutralized all of their offensive efforts. Over the past week, their only territorial gain has been the expansion of their control zone in the village of Zaporizhzhia — by just 1 square kilometer.

Heavy fighting continues in the grey zone between Andriivka and Kostiantynopil, as well as within both settlements themselves. The invaders have concentrated significant efforts on dislodging the Ukrainian Armed Forces from these villages. The situation remains fluid and could change rapidly.

Ukraine Russia war live map, March 15-22, Photo: Espreso

On the Pokrovsk axis, some of the fiercest battles are taking place in the settlement of Shevchenko, which is almost entirely in a grey zone, not controlled by either side. Ukrainian forces are concentrated in the north, while Russian troops hold the south, from where we are attempting to push them back beyond the Solodenka River.

On the opposite flank, the Defence Forces have entrenched themselves and are preventing the enemy from advancing toward the section of the Pokrovsk–Kostiantynivka highway near the village of Vozdvyzhenka.

Meanwhile, in the neighboring sector around Toretsk — where the intensity of fighting consistently ranks second or third among all areas — Russian forces have been unable to resume their offensive. Brutal combat continues for every multi-storey building in the central and northern parts of the city, with neither side making any progress.

Velykomykhailivka axis

Following a series of back-and-forth counterattacks, the Russian advance toward the Kurakhove–Zaporizhzhia highway — which they aim to cut near the area of Komar — has nearly come to a halt. Over the past week, Russian forces managed to take control of several grey zones near Novosilka and Burlatske, and ultimately occupied Skudne, after three weeks of fighting for the village.

Meanwhile, the Defence Forces held their positions in Dniproenerhiya, which was the main target of the enemy’s assault on both banks of the Mokri Yaly River. Similarly, the two combined-arms armies of the Russian Federation failed in their offensive toward Pryvilne and Shevchenko.

Ukraine Russia war live map, March 15-22, Photo: Espreso

Russian offensive attempt on the Orikhiv front

On the Orikhiv axis, located about 40 kilometers from Zaporizhzhia, Russian forces have somewhat intensified their pressure. Whereas from autumn through winter this area saw only 1 to 5 clashes per week, in March the enemy launched assaults almost daily. As a result, they advanced 1 to 1.5 kilometers northward along a 15-kilometer stretch of the front.

The main fighting has taken place over the village of Piatykhatky, which the Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated during the 2023 counteroffensive. The enemy has now managed to re-enter the village, though they control only part of it. Ukrainian forces repelled the attack and stabilized the situation.

Ukraine Russia war live map, March 15-22, Photo: Espreso

Russian advances were also halted near the villages of Stepove and Mali Shcherbaky, where they had tried to reach the road connecting the two settlements. The primary reason for the enemy’s partial success in this sector is that many of the Ukrainian units here had seen little combat recently, with the main burden falling on the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade. However, natural obstacles and strong resistance are currently preventing Russian forces from launching a larger offensive.

The Russian offensive along most sectors of the front is taking place despite their lack of adequate reserves and resources, which could ultimately lead to even greater exhaustion on their part.

The maps were created using data from the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and other verified open sources. They are approximate and only represent general trends in the combat zone.