WarBrief Live | October 28, 2026 | Intelligence Tool Profile
DeepStateMap is a free, interactive map that shows assessed territorial control in Ukraine’s war, built from geolocated photo and video evidence checked against frontline sources.
Key Takeaways
- It tracks assessed control, not a live feed of every shot fired.
- Changes rest on geolocated evidence and frontline confirmation.
- It is free in English and Ukrainian, with no account required.
- Its lines are delayed assessments; never use it for evacuation planning.
What is DeepStateMap?
DeepStateMap, at DeepStateMap.Live, is an interactive map of the war in Ukraine run by the Ukrainian open-source project Deep State UA. Launched on February 24, 2022, it is administered by Roman Pohorilyi and Ruslan Mykula. The map colors territory by assessed status: land liberated in the last two weeks, liberated territory, territory that still needs to be clarified, territory occupied by Russian forces, and the occupied Crimea and Donbas areas, with Transnistria shown separately.
It also marks Russian units, headquarters, airfields and naval forces, and attack directions, with a news feed and distance tool alongside. A reader can thus follow a sector over days and see whether a claimed advance actually moves the colored line.
How does DeepStateMap verify a frontline change?
The administrators say the map draws on geolocated photo and video evidence from social media, reports from followers near the front line, and hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers who mainly confirm or deny specific information. About 100 people work for Deep State UA, around 60 checking sources. Where information comes only from people claiming to be in an area, the map often waits for several similar reports absent visual evidence or General Staff confirmation.
Cooperation with Ukraine’s military was formalized in a March 2024 memorandum with the Ministry of Defense. The administrators also say Russian sources are not used, citing earlier propaganda and exaggerated claims. Treat it as a primarily Ukrainian-source map, read alongside other sources.
How do analysts actually use it?
Analysts use it as a daily reference for assessed control changes and as a check on claims in statements, videos and social media. A claimed capture that never moves the line, or a line that moves only after corroborating footage, says something about the claim’s strength. Fire points from NASA’s FIRMS system can be compared with the front line, and a special mode shows artillery ranges for systems such as HIMARS, M777 and CAESAR.
It pairs with a live event feed such as Liveuamap, profiled in WarBrief’s tools section, and with WarBrief’s October 2026 Ukraine-Russia air war analysis. The feed answers “what was reported today”; DeepStateMap answers “what control is assessed to have changed.”
Is DeepStateMap free, and how do you access it?
Yes. The website is free, with no registration required, in English and Ukrainian. A free mobile app, described as the project’s only official application, is on Google Play, with cached data for unreliable connections. There is no paywall for the core map. See WarBrief’s tools index for related resources.
What are DeepStateMap’s limitations?
The main limitation is delay. For security reasons, updates lag by up to two to three days, and Deep State UA cautions against using the map for evacuation routes, combat movements or other sensitive activities. Ukrainian advances may be shown late to avoid compromising positions, and monthly area figures can be revised as delayed information emerges.
The second limitation is the growing “gray zone.” As drone warfare has intensified, the area between confirmed positions has widened, making a sharp line harder to draw. FIRMS points show thermal detections consistent with fires, not all fighting. Treat every line as a dated assessment, cross-check major changes independently, and never use it as a safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is DeepStateMap free?
Yes. The website and official app are free, with no registration required.
Is DeepStateMap live?
No. It is an assessed map with a security delay of up to two to three days.
Can DeepStateMap be used to plan an evacuation route?
No. The project cautions against it; use official guidance for any safety decision.
Sources
- Wikipedia: DeepStateMap.Live
- Google Play: DeepStateMap
- Militarnyi: DeepState territorial-control reporting and publication delays
- UNN: DeepStateMap.Live interactive map profile
