Russia has been steadily gaining in Ukraine but has focused its efforts on advancing in the country's eastern Donetsk region.

Pokrovsk has been dubbed a "fortress" city, key for Ukraine's logistics and a long-time stronghold for Kyiv in the east.

Ukraine's fresh offensive in Kursk comes nearly six months after Kyiv first sent troops into the western Russian region.

Putin addressed his instructions to the specialists of the Russian Register, Geogrpahic Society and Defense Ministry. "The latter should open its map making-related materials to the Atlas editors ...

Fighting has raged in Ukraine since Russia launched a full-scale invasion ... times when there have been changes not reflected in the maps.

We collect current news on a daily basis ... The NZZ has also relied on its data for other conflicts. Our map depicts Russian troop movements. How do we know where which unit is located?

Below, we look at the current flashpoints of the roughly 640-mile front line. Ukraine captured a chunk of the Russian border region of Kursk after a daring cross-border attack in August.