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Russia's invasion of Ukraine as seen in satellite photos

By Space.com Staff
published 4 April 2022

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(Image credit: 2022 Maxar Technologies)

A satellite photo captured on March 22, 2022 by Maxar Technologies' Worldview-3 satellite, shows smoke rising from bomb-shattered apartment blocks in Mariupol, some of the houses around them reduced to rubble as well.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on Feb. 24, has hit Mariupol particularly hard. Russia views the capture of the southeastern port city as a key priority (opens in new tab) and has hammered it hard with missiles and artillery, destroying houses, shopping malls and many other buildings in the process.

Related:

  • Ukraine invasion's impacts on space exploration: Live updates
  • Ukraine plans to join the EU. Will the nation's space prospects expand as a result?
  • Russia says it used a hypersonic missile in Ukraine for first time: report
Page 1 of 51
Page 1 of 51
(Image credit: 2022 Maxar Technologies)

Maxar Technologies' WorldView-3 satellite captured this image of buildings on fire in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol on March 22, 2022. 

Page 2 of 51
Page 2 of 51
(Image credit: Planet Labs PBC)

This photo, taken by a Planet satellite on March 21, 2022, shows a destroyed theater in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. The Russian word for "children" is written in white outside the theater. 

Ukrainian officials have said that about 1,300 people were hunkered down in the theater when it was bombed on March 16. Perhaps 200 survived the attack, according to CNN (opens in new tab), though it's tough to get an accurate count because Mariupol remains a war zone.

Page 3 of 51
Page 3 of 51
(Image credit: 2022 Maxar Technologies)

This satellite image taken by the WorldView-2 satellite operated by Maxar Technologies has captured views of artillery firing near Kyiv, Ukraine as Russian military forces continue their invasion on that country. 

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Page 4 of 51
(Image credit: 2022 Maxar Technologies)

A view of the sarcophagus covering of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine and its surrounding area as seen by Maxar satellites on March 10, 2022.

Page 5 of 51
Page 5 of 51
(Image credit: 2022 Maxar Technologies)

A satellite image collected by Maxar Technologies on March 9 reveals severe damage to civilian structures in the besieged city of Mariupol, Ukraine.

The image, released by Maxar, was taken by the company's WorldView 3 Earth-observing satellite.

Page 6 of 51
Page 6 of 51
(Image credit: Capella Space)

Russian military forces invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022 and have been carrying out deadly attacks across the country ever since. See satellite images of the buildup to Russia's invasion and the resulting destruction in this Space.com gallery. 

In the radar image above, taken by U.S. Earth-observation company Capella Space, Russian troops are seen assembling near the collapsed Chernobyl nuclear power plant close to the borders of Ukraine, shortly after the invasion on Feb. 24. 

Page 7 of 51
Page 7 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

This image, snapped on Feb. 4, 2022, by Maxar's Worldview 3 satellite, shows VD Bolshoy Bokov Airfield near Mazyr, Belarus, before Russian troops moved into the area.

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Page 8 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

Helicopters in Belgorod in Russia, as seen on Feb. 13, 2022.

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Page 9 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

Luninets Air Base in Belarus as seen on Feb. 14, 2022. 

"Su-25 ground attack aircraft (total of 32), helicopters, an S-400 air defense unit, ground force equipment and a UAV/drone unit are seen at Luninets airfield (location: 52.276, 26.780), approximately 50 kilometers [31 miles] north of the border with Ukraine," Maxar officials said in a statement.

Page 10 of 51
Page 10 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

A close-up view of air defense units at Luninets Airfield in Belarus, observed by Maxar's WorldView 3 satellite on Feb. 14, 2022. 

Page 11 of 51
Page 11 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

Drone technology at Luninets Airfield in Belarus, observed on Feb. 14, 2022.

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Page 12 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

Ground attack aircraft at Luninets Air Base in Belarus, as seen on Feb. 14, 2022. 

Page 13 of 51
Page 13 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

Helicopters are pictured by Crimea's Lake Donuzlav on Feb. 18, 2022, in this image from Maxar's WorldView 2 satellite. "A large deployment of helicopters (more than 60 helicopters) remain deployed at Lake Donuzlav," Maxar officials said in a statement.

Page 14 of 51
Page 14 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

The Millerovo Air Base in Russia is pictured in this WorldView 3 satellite image, captured on Feb. 15, 2022.

"A new helicopter unit and battle group deployment consisting of tanks, armored personnel carriers and support equipment has deployed to Millerovo airfield, situated approximate 16 kilometers [10 miles] from the Ukraine border," Maxar said in an image description.

Page 15 of 51
Page 15 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

This WorldView 3 satellite image, captured on Feb. 15, 2022, shows a new helicopter unit consisting of more than 20 helicopters was deployed near Valuyki, Russia, approximately 17 miles (27 kilometers) east of the border with Ukraine

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Page 16 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

Helicopter deployment and troops in Valuyki, Russia as seen by Maxar's WorldView 1 satellite on Feb. 16, 2022.

Page 17 of 51
Page 17 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

This WorldView 1 satellite image, captured on Feb. 16, 2022, shows at least 50 new helicopters at Lida airfield in northwestern Belarus. 

Page 18 of 51
Page 18 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

A convoy of armored equipment in Crimea as seen on Feb. 18, 2022.

Page 19 of 51
Page 19 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

Tents and a field hospital in Novoozernoye in Crimea as seen on Feb. 18, 2022.

Page 20 of 51
Page 20 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

This image, snapped on Feb. 21, 2022, by Maxar's WorldView 3 satellite, shows new deployments of material support and troops at Krasnyi Oktyabr in Russia, southwest of Belgorod.

Page 21 of 51
Page 21 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

This image, snapped on Feb. 21, 2022, by Maxar's WorldView 3 satellite, shows an overview of new deployments in a clearing southwest of Belgorod.

Page 22 of 51
Page 22 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

This image, snapped on Feb. 21, 2022, by Maxar's GeoEye 1 satellite, shows armor and vehicles at a railyard in Veselaya Lopan, southwest of Belgorod.

Page 23 of 51
Page 23 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

This image, snapped on Feb. 21, 2022, by Maxar's WorldView 2 satellite, shows an overview of a field hospital and troop deployment in western  Belgorod.

Page 24 of 51
Page 24 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

This image, snapped on Feb. 21, 2022, by Maxar's WorldView 2 satellite, shows a closeup of a field hospital and troop deployment in western  Belgorod.

Page 25 of 51
Page 25 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

This image, snapped on Feb. 22, 2022, by Maxar's WorldView 1 satellite, shows an overview of new deployments at Pochep, Russia.

Page 26 of 51
Page 26 of 51
(Image credit: Maxar Technologies)

This image, snapped on Feb. 22, 2022, by Maxar's WorldView 3 satellite, shows a closeup of assembled vehicles at VD Bolshoy Bokov Airfield. 

Full story: Military activity in Russia spotted in satellite photos as tensions rise in Ukraine

Page 27 of 51
Page 27 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

This image, snapped on Feb. 22, 2022, by Maxar's WorldView 3 satellite, shows new deployments at VD Bolshoy Bokov Airfield near Mazyr, Belarus.

Page 28 of 51
Page 28 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

This image, snapped on Feb. 22, 2022, by Maxar's WorldView 1 satellite, shows land clearing and new deployments at Pochep, Russia.

Page 29 of 51
Page 29 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

This image, snapped on Feb. 22, 2022, by Maxar's WorldView 1 satellite, shows troop tents and a housing area at Pochep, Russia.

Page 30 of 51
Page 30 of 51
(Image credit: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies)

 This image, snapped on Feb. 22, 2022, by a Maxar WorldView satellite, shows heavy equipment transporters in western Klintsy, Russia.

Page 31 of 51
Page 31 of 51
(Image credit: Planet Labs PBC)

This image from a Planet satellite shows Chuhuiv Airbase on Feb. 21, 2022.

Full story: Satellite photos reveal details of Russian invasion into Ukraine

Page 32 of 51
Page 32 of 51
(Image credit: Planet Labs PBC)

Ukraine's Chuhuiv Airbase on Feb. 24, 2022, as seen by a satellite operated by the company Planet.

Full story: Satellite photos reveal details of Russian invasion into Ukraine

Page 33 of 51
Page 33 of 51
(Image credit: Planet Labs PBC)

The Mikolaiv Airbase in Ukiraine on Feb. 21, 2022.

Full story: Satellite photos reveal details of Russian invasion into Ukraine

Page 34 of 51
Page 34 of 51
(Image credit: Planet Labs PBC)

The Mikolaiv Airbase in Ukiraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

Full story: Satellite photos reveal details of Russian invasion into Ukraine

Page 35 of 51
Page 35 of 51
(Image credit: Maxar Technologies)

An image from Maxar's WorldView 1 satellite shows the border crossing between Ukraine and Romania, near Siret, Romania, on Feb. 25, 2022.

Page 36 of 51
Page 36 of 51
(Image credit: Maxar Technologies)

Earth observation satellites captured a 40-mile-long (64 kilometers) Russian military convoy approaching Ukraine's capital Kyiv, on Feb. 28, 2022.

Full story: Satellite photos show 40-mile-long Russian military convoy nearing Ukraine's capital Kyiv

Page 37 of 51
Page 37 of 51
(Image credit: Maxar Technologies)

A 40-mile long Russian military convoy is seen from space approaching Ukraine's besieged capital Kyiv, on Feb. 28, 2022.

Full story: Satellite photos show 40-mile-long Russian military convoy nearing Ukraine's capital Kyiv

Page 38 of 51
Page 38 of 51
(Image credit: Maxar Technologies)

In addition to the convoy, troops and helicopters were spotted in southern Belarus, less than 20 miles (32 km) from the border with Ukraine, on Feb. 28, 2022. Here, attack helicopters are seen at a military airport in Belarus near the border with Ukraine.

Full story: Satellite photos show 40-mile-long Russian military convoy nearing Ukraine's capital Kyiv

Page 39 of 51
Page 39 of 51
(Image credit: Maxar Technologies)

Military equipment was spotted in Belarus near the border with Ukraine, on Feb. 28, 2022.

Full story: Satellite photos show 40-mile-long Russian military convoy nearing Ukraine's capital Kyiv

Page 40 of 51
Page 40 of 51
(Image credit: Maxar Technologies)

A Maxar satellite image shows Russian airborne forces in Zdvyzhivka, Ukraine, on Feb. 28, 2022.

Page 41 of 51
Page 41 of 51
(Image credit: BlackSky)

This BlackSky satellite image, collected over Chernihiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 28, 2022 at 12:22 local time (UTC+2), shows an Epicentr K home improvement warehouse ablaze with scorched fields a few hundred meters east following shelling in the area.

Full story: Russian attack sets Ukrainian home-improvement store ablaze (satellite photo)

Page 42 of 51
Page 42 of 51
(Image credit: BlackSky)

An annotated version of the BlackSky image captured on Feb. 28, 2022, with inset photos of the area from Feb. 26 to provide a before-and-after view.

Full story: Russian attack sets Ukrainian home-improvement store ablaze (satellite photo)

Page 43 of 51
Page 43 of 51
(Image credit: Maxar Technologies)

A 40-mile long Russian military convoy is seen from space approaching Ukraine's besieged capital Kyiv, on Feb. 28, 2022.

Full story: Satellite photos show 40-mile-long Russian military convoy nearing Ukraine's capital Kyiv

Page 44 of 51
Page 44 of 51
(Image credit: Maxar Technologies)

A 40-mile long Russian military convoy is seen from space approaching Ukraine's besieged capital Kyiv, on Feb. 28, 2022.

Full story: Satellite photos show 40-mile-long Russian military convoy nearing Ukraine's capital Kyiv

Page 45 of 51
Page 45 of 51
(Image credit: Maxar Technologies)

Maxar satellite imagery shows destroyed military vehicles and homes in a residential area south of Antonov Airport in Bucha, Ukraine, on Feb. 28, 2022..

Page 46 of 51
Page 46 of 51
(Image credit: Maxar Technologies)

An image from Maxar's WorldView 2 satellite shows a destroyed factory building west of Chernihiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 28, 2022.

Page 47 of 51
Page 47 of 51
(Image credit: Maxar Technologies)

An image from Maxar's WorldView 2 satellite shows a destroyed bridge and homes in Chernihiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 28, 2022.

Page 48 of 51
Page 48 of 51
(Image credit: Maxar Technologies)

Maxar satellite imagery reveals burning homes and impact craters in Rivnopillya, Ukraine, on Feb. 28, 2022.

Page 49 of 51
Page 49 of 51
(Image credit: Maxar Technologies)

An image from Maxar's WorldView 3 satellite shows the northern end of a Russian convoy with resupply vehicles southeast of Ivankiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 28, 2022.

Page 50 of 51
Page 50 of 51
(Image credit: Maxar Technologies)

An image from Maxar's WorldView 3 satellite shows the southern end of a large military convoy on the edge of Antonov Airport, on Feb. 28, 2022.

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Page 51 of 51
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Space.com is the premier source of space exploration, innovation and astronomy news, chronicling (and celebrating) humanity's ongoing expansion across the final frontier. Originally founded in 1999, Space.com is, and always has been, the passion of writers and editors who are space fans and also trained journalists. Our current news team consists of Editor-in-Chief Tariq Malik; Editor Hanneke Weitering, Senior Space Writer Mike Wall; Senior Writer Meghan Bartels; Senior Writer Chelsea Gohd, Senior Writer Tereza Pultarova and Staff Writer Alexander Cox, focusing on e-commerce. Senior Producer Steve Spaleta oversees our space videos, with Diana Whitcroft as our Social Media Editor. 


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