Ukraine makes major gains in Lyman counteroffensive, captures more than 250 Russians
Photo: Ukrainian forces report new frontline gains (Getty Images)
Ukrainian forces have made gains during a counteroffensive in the Lyman direction and have also captured more than 250 Russian soldiers, according to the Third Army Corps.
The Third Army Corps liberated the settlements of Nove, Ridkodub and Katerynivka. The troops also regained control of Karpivka and Novomykhailivka.
The enemy suffered 2,000 casualties, according to the corps. More than 250 Russians were taken prisoner.
This marked the end of the third season of the Vivaldi operation. The corps described it as a turning point for the entire operation.
The corps reclaimed another 51 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory. Since the start of the offensive operations, a total of 176 square kilometers have been recaptured.
Why Nove was the main target
Nove was the main objective of the third season and a key position for Russian forces on the bridgehead.
Andrii Biletskyi, commander of the Third Army Corps and a brigadier general, said that whoever controls the heights around the settlement has the initiative on the bridgehead.
"The enemy was convinced that the main axis of attack was Shandryholove–Zelena Dolyna. This forced them to recklessly burn through their reserves in counterattacks in that area. The Russians failed to see the real attack coming, which was focused on capturing Nove," Biletskyi said.
To break through the Russian defenses, the corps used an invention of its own: Soviet-era BTR-60 armored personnel carriers converted into robotic kamikaze systems. They were used to destroy the enemy's strongest fortifications.
Russian troops surrendered in entire units, including officers, pilots and artillerymen.
Earlier, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) confirmed that Russian forces had made no verified advances along most sectors of the frontline.
Russian military bloggers had claimed that Russian forces captured villages in the Kharkiv region, but analysts found no evidence to support those claims.
Meanwhile, analysts believe Russian leader Vladimir Putin is unlikely to agree to an energy ceasefire.
According to ISW, he may instead rely on long-range strikes this winter.
