How a volunteer-led Telegram group built a billion-view war map
In short: Following a disagreement with Google, DeepStateMap.Live emerged as the leading digital tool for tracking the Russo-Ukrainian conflict. Driven by a team of 100 volunteers and professionals, this interactive tool uses open-source intelligence to track frontline shifts with unprecedented, near-instant detail.
DeepStateMap.Live began on 24 February 2022, the day of the Russian invasion, created by the non-governmental organization Deep State UA. The organization was founded in February 2020 by childhood friends Roman Pohorily and Ruslan Mykula. Originally a Telegram-based news outlet, the team had previously experimented with digital mapping during the 2021 Taliban offensive. After a dispute with Google in March 2022 regarding service rule violations, the team launched their own independent interface on 27 March, which allowed for custom backgrounds and enhanced interactive features.
The map's methodology relies on a blend of official data and open-source intelligence (OSINT). Sources include the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, geolocated social media footage, and direct reports from hundreds of soldiers. To maintain accuracy, approximately 60 of the organization's 100 members are dedicated solely to verifying information. While the map often includes a 2–3 day delay for security and verification, it has been praised by experts like Rob Lee for its reliability. The team intentionally avoids using Russian sources to prevent the spread of propaganda.
The platform's impact is massive, reaching over one billion views by February 2024. In August 2025, it was recording an average of 900,000 daily views. The map's utility extends beyond simple territory tracking; it features layers for weapon ranges, radiation levels, and even the location of mystery fires. However, this visibility comes with risks. The map has faced significant DDoS attacks, notably in August 2022 from hackers aligned with Russia, China, Iran, Brazil, and North Korea, and again in February 2024.
The map's accuracy can occasionally lead to friction with official narratives. For instance, in December 2024, the team faced criticism for reporting the encirclement of Ukrainian forces in Makarivka and Uspenivka, which officials denied. Despite such tensions, the map's ability to reveal battlefield breakthroughs has been credited with influencing military decisions, such as the deployment of elite troops during the Dobropillia offensive in August 2025.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: DeepStateMap.Live
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