Ukraine claims recapture of 176 sq km in northern Donetsk during Operation Vivaldi

General Andrii Bilețki, head of Ukraine's Third Army Corps, reported that the army has reclaimed 176 square kilometres of territory in the northern sector of Donetsk region during the ongoing Operation Vivaldi. The latest gains, comprising 51 square kilometres, were achieved in the operation's third phase, the largest to date since its secret launch in May. Ukrainian forces have freed the settlements of Nove, Ridkodub and Katerinivka and have taken back the towns of Karpivka and Novomihailivka.

Bilețki credited specially designed kamikaze drones, assembled from BTR-60 armored transporters, with breaching Russian defensive positions. He praised the infantry’s performance and noted that the offensive continues, with new defensive lines being set up along the front near Liman, north of Donetsk.