A map showing Ukraine and the surrounding areas highlights areas in different colours. Mainland Ukraine is mostly yellow, while Russia is red. The Crimean peninsula, annexed from Ukraine by Russia in 2014, is shaded yellow with red horizontal stripes. The Ukrainian districts of Donetsk and Luhansk, where pro-Russian separatists control some land, are yellow with diagonal red stripes. The cities of Kyiv, Donetsk, Luhansk and Sevastopol are also highlighted.
Ahead of the invasion, Russia had troops stationed along the border with Ukraine, as well as in Belarus and Crimea. Forces were sent to Donetsk and Luhansk, where pro-Russian separatists have been fighting with Ukraine for control since 2014.