Short answers, pulled from the story.
Russian forces crossed the Russia-Ukraine border on the 24th of February after President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation. This invasion marked the start of the ongoing military offensive in Ukraine.
Russia shifted its focus to eastern and southern Ukraine including major cities such as Izium, Mariupol, Sievierodonetsk, Popasna, and Rubizhne. The Russian defence ministry stated it aimed to occupy these key urban centers while separatists controlled significant portions of Luhansk Oblast and Donetsk Oblast.
Wagner fighters broke through Ukrainian defense lines in Soledar on the 27th of December and captured the town by the 16th of January 2023. This advance degraded Bakhmut's northeastern defensive flanks and allowed Russian forces to flank the city from multiple directions.
Ukraine launched a large counteroffensive across frontlines including areas like Andriivka, Klishchiivka, and Berkhivka but made only marginal gains. Dense Russian minefields deployed via rocket systems significantly hindered Ukrainian progress along the vast majority of the frontline.
Russian forces broke through Ukrainian defenses in Avdiivka in late January or early February 2024 and captured the fortified city after months of fighting. They subsequently advanced west capturing Lastochkyne, Stepove, and Sieverne by the 27th of February.
Russia made Pokrovsk its main goal in eastern Ukraine by early August 2024 while expanding control around Toretsk. By mid-August Russian forces were reportedly 10 kilometers from Pokrovsk advancing through settlements east of the city including Hrodivka on the last line of defense.