Interactive Map: Tracking Ukraine War's Attacks and Recaptures Over Four Years

Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) is committed to providing a nuanced and verified perspective on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Our interactive map, accessible via NZZ.ch, represents a significant effort to visualize the complex realities of this war, which has unfolded with unprecedented public visibility.

Unlike traditional maps, our tool goes beyond static representations. It incorporates real-time developments, territorial gains and losses, satellite imagery, and the positions of Russian forces. We aim to map the war's reality, while acknowledging that any map is an approximation. This approach is crucial because the conflict is dynamic, and our presentation reflects this continuous evolution. We detail the considerations behind our map, clarifying what it shows and, importantly, what it does not.

Our editorial policy prioritizes events that are strategically relevant and verifiable through multiple independent sources. This includes significant military actions, attacks on critical infrastructure like airports and power plants, and symbolic targets such as the Mariupol theater. We consciously exclude graphic depictions of casualties and avoid amplifying propaganda from any side. The decision not to show identifiable prisoners of war, for instance, stems from a careful consideration of international law and ethical reporting standards, a stance we have elaborated on in separate articles.

From a Swiss perspective, neutrality and a commitment to factual, verified reporting are paramount. While global media often focuses on the immediate military outcomes, NZZ emphasizes the importance of understanding the context, the verification process, and the ethical considerations involved in reporting on such a devastating conflict. Our map serves not just as an information tool but as a testament to rigorous journalistic practice, offering a view that is both comprehensive and critically examined, distinguishing our coverage from more sensationalist or less scrupulous outlets.