Ukraine says its forces recaptured territory in the Donbass region
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukrainian troops have regained control of roughly 125-140 square kilometres in the Donbass, an area Russia seeks to dominate.
During a live briefing, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian forces have reclaimed roughly 125-140 square kilometres of the Donbass, where Russia seeks total control, as part of the continuing "Vivaldi" operation. He added that Ukraine plans to intensify attacks on Russian refineries following Moscow's newly announced doctrine. Russian air raids hit Kyiv's Pivnitchny bridge on Saturday, causing two injuries.
The Russian government again urged foreign diplomats in Kyiv to depart, warning of further massive retaliatory strikes. Additionally, Moldova summoned the Russian ambassador after renewed missile and drone incursions from Ukrainian airspace, which have repeatedly forced it to close its skies.
Why it matters
The territorial gain signals a shift in the front lines of the Ukraine-Russia war and may affect future military and diplomatic dynamics.
How this story developed
- Sep 1 Russia multiplies jet-powered Shahed drone strikes fivefold in one month
- Sep 21 Partial results show United Russia holding at least 338 of the 450 Duma seats.
- Sep 21 Preliminary results show United Russia winning 355 of the 450 State Duma seats, surpassing its previous 2016 high. The foreign ministries of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway issued a joint statement condemning elections held in Crimea and the four Ukrainian regions seized by Russia as violations of Ukraine's sovereignty. They demanded accountability for those organizing the vote and urged Russia to end its war and accept an unconditional ceasefire. The same period saw France support the removal of oligarch Alisher Usmanov from the EU sanctions list, a move backed by Slovakia and linked to broader negotiations over detained French nationals in Azerbaijan.
- Sep 21 The Quai d’Orsay condemns holding the vote in the occupied territories of Crimea and the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, calling it a violation of international law and the UN Charter and stating Fran
- Sep 21 Western allies issued a joint declaration condemning the election as a breach of Ukraine’s sovereignty.
- Sep 24 Reports allege that corporate managers pressured staff to vote for United Russia, suggesting coercion in the electoral process.
- Sep 25 Ukrainian commanders announced further territorial gains around Lyman since the initial report.
- Sep 26 President Trump publicly urged Ukraine to negotiate a settlement with Russia.
- Sep 28 Poland’s Government Security Center warned residents of Lublin Voivodeship of a possible air attack following a Russian strike on western Ukraine, while Polish air forces began patrolling national airspace.
- Sep 28 Ukrainian forces announced the latest village recaptures as part of Operation Vivaldi’s third phase.
- Oct 2 Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov asked President Putin to audit the North Caucasus election results.
- Oct 3 A new drone impact occurred near the Yahodyn crossing.
- Oct 3 Russian strikes hit Kyiv's Northern Bridge, damaging the road and trolleybus lines and prompting traffic limits between the city’s east and west sides.
- Oct 3 The Northern Bridge was struck after earlier attacks closed the Southern Bridge.
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