Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps Reclaims 51 sq km in Donbas Operation Vivaldi

Ukrainian forces have reclaimed 51 square kilometers of territory in the Donetsk region during the third phase of Operation Vivaldi, according to Andriy Biletsky, commander of Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps. The operation, publicly announced on September 15, is structured in four stages named after Vivaldi's Four Seasons. The third phase brought the total territory reclaimed since the operation's start to 176 square kilometers.

Ukrainian forces restored full control over settlements including Karpivka, Novomykhailivka, Ridkodub, Katerynivka, and Nove, a key settlement on the bridgehead near Krasny Liman. Biletsky stated that control of high ground around Nove was critical to maintaining initiative in the area. Ukrainian forces employed converted Soviet BTR armored personnel carriers as ground-based kamikaze robotic systems to breach Russian defensive positions. The operation employed deceptive maneuvers, leading Russian forces to concentrate reserves in the Shandryholove-Zelena Dolyna area while Ukrainian main assault efforts targeted Nove elsewhere.

Russian casualties during the third phase exceeded 2,000 troops, with more than 250 Russian soldiers captured, including officers, pilots, and artillerymen, according to Biletsky's account. The commander noted that entire Russian units surrendered en masse. Previous phases saw approximately 3,000 Russian losses across the first two stages combined, with roughly 800 during the second phase alone. Ukrainian forces were supported by units including the 3rd Assault Brigade and 3rd Border Guard Detachment.

The operation represents Ukraine's largest offensive action in Donbas since 2022, according to OSINT analysis. Ukrainian forces have reclaimed approximately 240 square kilometers in the Donetsk region during 2026, double the territorial gains from the 2023 counteroffensive. Control of the Lyman area and prevention of Russian advancement toward Slaviansk and Kramatorsk remain stated objectives. Biletsky indicated that Operation Vivaldi will continue through its planned four phases, stating "the Vivaldi music plays on."

Russian Ministry of Defence did not comment on Ukrainian claims but reported capturing the settlement of Novovodyane in Donetsk on September 28. Independent monitoring channels including DeepState confirmed Ukrainian control of the reclaimed settlements. The Institute for the Study of War noted that Ukrainian forces are systematically disrupting Russian attempts to reinforce breakthrough positions rather than immediately eliminating Russian forces in individual sectors.