Ukraine's 'Vivaldi' counteroffensive surprises Russian forces and may alter eastern front plans
Ukraine's third-phase 'Operation Vivaldi' struck near Nove, catching Russian troops off guard and prompting concerns about future Russian offensives in the east.
In the latest phase of Ukraine's covert 'Operation Vivaldi', forces under the third army corps launched a surprise assault on the town of Nove, diverting Russian attention away from a feint at Shandryholove. Brigade General Andrij Biletskyj said Russian troops were effectively asleep during the main attack. The operation, named after Vivaldi's Four Seasons, has already recaptured five villages and a reported 176 square kilometres since its start.
Ukrainian units repurposed captured BTR-80 armored personnel carriers into explosive drone vehicles to penetrate Russian lines. Analysts note that the offensive may force Russia to adjust supply routes and reduce the tempo of attacks on Slovjansk and Kramatorsk, while also exposing flaws in Russian reporting practices that have obscured frontline realities.
Why it matters
The breakthrough could shift the balance of power on Ukraine's eastern front and affect Russian military planning.
How this story developed
- Sep 3 Ukraine reports heavy Russian personnel and equipment losses in ongoing war
- Sep 16 The House passed a fresh sanctions package targeting Russia with a 262-159 vote, now awaiting President Trump's signature.
- Sep 17 The Senate approved the bill with an 86‑11 vote last month.
- Sep 17 Residents of Oleshky in Russian-occupied Kherson face severe shortages and cannot be evacuated as Russian attacks block aid.
- Sep 19 President Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law.
- Sep 20 The robots have been observed along the entire 1,200‑kilometre front.
- Sep 25 Ukrainian commanders announced further territorial gains around Lyman since the initial report.
- Sep 26 Russia has refused ICRC‑facilitated evacuations for Oleshky residents.
- Sep 26 President Trump publicly urged Ukraine to negotiate a settlement with Russia.
- Sep 27 Operators now use Discord to coordinate the robots with drones.
- Sep 28 The last ground convoy reached Oleshky on May 26, and no further deliveries have been reported.
- Sep 28 Ukrainian forces announced the latest village recaptures as part of Operation Vivaldi’s third phase.
- Oct 1 President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine has deployed its home-grown FP-7 tactical ballistic missile against Russia, but declined to reveal the target.
- Oct 5 President Zelensky announced the missile's first combat use via Telegram.
In this story
Related stories
26 in this thread