Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps says its forces have liberated three more villages in the Lyman sector of Donetsk Oblast. Brigadier-General Andrii Biletskyi announced on September 28 that Ridkodub, Nove and Katerynivka were retaken, with full control restored over Karpivka and Novomykhailivka.

The latest stage of Operation Vivaldi retook 51 square kilometers, bringing the operation's total to 176 square kilometers, according to Biletskyi. He said the phase inflicted over 2,000 Russian personnel losses and that more than 250 Russian soldiers were taken prisoner. The figures were not independently verified.

The Institute for the Study of War assessed on September 17 that the operation shows Ukraine restoring tactical maneuver in the Lyman direction and that it thwarted Russia's plan to encircle the Donetsk 'Fortress Belt.'

Operation Vivaldi was only publicly announced on September 15, with four stages planned. Earlier stages liberated Shandryholove, Derylove and Drobysheve. Biletskyi said entire Russian units surrendered in full, 'including officers, pilots and artillerymen.'

The gains are Ukrainian-claimed. The operation's planned fourth stage has yet to come.