Ukraine's forces launch offensive in northern Donetsk region, report first gains
Photo: The Defense Forces have already achieved their first successes as a result of the operation (Getty Images)
The Third Army Corps has launched the Vivaldi offensive operation in the north of the Donetsk region and has already cleared several settlements, according to the commander of the Third Army Corps, Brigadier General Andrii Biletskyi.
Vivaldi offensive operation
Ukrainian troops, under a strict information blackout, eliminated enemy infiltration pockets and cleared 75 square kilometers of territory. Another 10 square kilometers have been de-occupied.
Ukrainian units liberated Serednie and cleared the following areas of infiltration:
- Novoselivka
- Oleksandrivka
- Yarova
- the outskirts of Korovyi Yar.
The offensive dealt a devastating blow to the combat capability of Russia's 20th and 25th armies. The enemy's losses at this stage amount to:
- About 1,500 soldiers
- More than 12,000 drones
- Hundreds of pieces of armored vehicles, artillery systems, and motor vehicles.
The enemy changed its logistics
Due to the corps' strikes, Russian forces moved the supply of fuel outside Ukraine, to the Voronezh region. There, a pipeline was shut down, and warehouses were taken out.
At the same time, unmanned systems units cut off the enemy's logistical routes.
'This is only the first season'
Brigadier General Andrii Biletskyi said that the ultimate goal of the operation is not limited to reaching the Chornyi Zherebets River.
"There is a lot of information in open sources now that the ultimate goal of our offensive actions is to reach the banks of the Chornyi Zherebets River. But our operation is called Vivaldi. And, as we know, Vivaldi has four seasons. And this is only the first of them. So follow our official statements and don't rush with spoilers. There will be good news," Biletskyi said.
ОФІЦІЙНО: Білецький вперше про наступальну операцію «Вівальді» — Третій корпус зачистив від інфільтрації Новоселівку, Олександрівку, Ярову, околиці Корового Яру та звільнив Середнє!
— Третій армійський корпус (@ab3army) September 15, 2026
Підтверджуємо інформацію про наступ української армії на півночі Донецької області. У режимі… pic.twitter.com/nWckVEM34n
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War recorded Ukrainian forces seizing the initiative on the front in 2026.
According to their data, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have nearly nullified Russia's territorial gains and conducted counteroffensives in the Kupiansk, Oleksandrivka, and Lyman directions.
