# Ukraine-Russia conflict in Crimea and Donetsk

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ukraine-russia-conflict-in-crimea-and-donetsk
> Updated: 2026-09-14T09:08:21.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 2.

Ukrainian forces have conducted operations targeting Russian military assets and territory, specifically in Crimea and the Donetsk region.

In early September, Ukrainian intelligence units conducted a night operation in occupied Crimea that successfully struck a Russian Su-24 front-line bomber. Concurrently, Ukrainian forces began reclaiming territory north of Lyman, pushing Russian forces back toward the Zherebets River to prevent the encirclement of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.

By mid-September, these efforts evolved into a military operation codenamed ‘Vivaldi’. Led by the Ukrainian Third Army Corps, the operation resulted in the reclamation of approximately 200 square kilometers of territory, including the settlements of Novoselivka, Oleksandrivka, Yarova, and Serednje. While analysts noted these gains delayed expected Russian offensive operations, they did not necessarily constitute a definitive turning point for the entire front. Russian pro-war channels acknowledged a ‘deterioration of the tactical situation’ near Lyman.

Brigadier-General Andrii Biletskyi, commander of the 3rd Army Corps, stated that the operation aims to disrupt Russian military logistics and clear infiltration groups north of the ‘fortress belt’ containing Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Biletskyi reported that the corps cleared approximately 75 square kilometers of territory from Russian infiltration groups and regained control of an additional 10 square kilometers, including the village of Serednie and areas surrounding Korovyi Yar. Ukrainian officials claim significant Russian losses during this stage, including approximately 1,500 soldiers, 12,000 drones, and hundreds of armored vehicles and artillery systems. Biletskyi noted that this represents only the first phase of the operation, referencing the ‘four seasons’ of Vivaldi’s music.

## Claims

- The operation is located north of the ‘fortress belt’ containing Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. (disputed by 9 sources)
- The operation is located north of the ‘guardian zone’ containing Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. (disputed by 3 sources)
- The Third Army Corps launched an offensive operation named ‘Vivaldi’. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- Ukrainian forces cleared 75 square kilometers of Russian infiltration groups. (corroborated by 14 sources)
- The village of Serednje is under full Ukrainian control. (corroborated by 14 sources)
- Ukrainian forces disrupted Russian military logistics. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- Ukrainian forces cleared three villages during the operation. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Russian forces reportedly lost approximately 1,500 soldiers, 12,000 drones, and hundreds of armored vehicles and artillery systems. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Ukrainian forces regained approximately 200 square kilometers of territory near Lyman during the summer counter-offensive. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-14: Ukraine launches ‘Operation Vivaldi’ offensive in northern Donetsk

Ukraine's Third Army Corps has launched ‘Operation Vivaldi’ in northern Donetsk, clearing 75 sq km of Russian infiltration groups and reclaiming 10 sq km, including the village of Serednie.

19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukraine-reclaims-200-square-kilometers-near-lyman-in-donetsk

### 2026-09-08: Ukraine strikes Russian bomber in Crimea and advances near Lyman

Ukrainian forces struck a Russian Su-24 bomber in occupied Crimea and reclaimed 200 square kilometers of territory north of Lyman to protect the Sloviansk and Kramatorsk regions.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukraine-strikes-russian-bomber-in-crimea-and-advances-near-lyman

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Cite as: Ukraine-Russia conflict in Crimea and Donetsk. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ukraine-russia-conflict-in-crimea-and-donetsk