Control of Donbas: An animated infographic showing the territorial claims of Russian rebels in the Ukraine.

In mid June, pro-Russian rebels claimed the majority of Donbas, the area in Ukraine comprising the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Tensions rose in July after the downing of a Malaysian civilian aircraft over Donetsk, just miles from the Russian border.

Better organised and muscular, the Ukrainian armed forces then reclaimed area previously held by the rebels.

By August, the separatists’ territorial grip had significantly weakened. But Russian weapons, soldiers and aid then crossed the border into Ukrainian territory.

By September, the Ukrainian authorities had lost their grip on parts of the Donbas region. And amid an erratic ceasefire, the rebel areas had expanded.

So a struggle for the territorial control of a sovereign country is now under way -- with real importance for peace in Europe -- and symbolically, for stability around the world.

For more multimedia content from The Economist visit our website:
http://econ.st/1pszM3j