Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps liberates two more villages in Donetsk as Russia struggles to replace battlefield losses

Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps has liberated the villages of Shandryholove and Derylove in Donetsk Oblast and established full control over Drobysheve as part of its ongoing Vivaldi offensive operation, commander Brigadier General Andrii Biletskyi announced on 20 September Source. The second stage of the operation regained another 40 sq km of territory, bringing the total area taken during both stages to 125 sq km, 50 sq km of which were liberated from Russian occupation.

“Shandryholove and Derylove have been liberated. Drobysheve is under full Ukrainian control,” Biletskyi said, noting that Shandryholove is a critical point for both sides. The corps reported that Russian forces lost around 800 troops during the second stage and more than 3,000 over the entire operation. The Vivaldi operation, which began with the aim of rolling back Russian lines in northern Donetsk Oblast, is continuing.

The tactical gains come as Russia bleeds manpower at a rate it cannot sustain. Western officials estimate that Moscow is losing about 6,000 more troops each month than it can recruit, despite signing up around 1,000 volunteers per day Source. Ukraine’s General Staff reported Russian personnel losses of 1,600 on 30 August alone and a total of over 1.48 million since February 2022 Source. The recruitment gap has forced the Kremlin to rely on escalating strikes against civilian infrastructure and energy targets to try to break Ukrainian morale, according to the same officials.

Meanwhile, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been without off-site power for more than a week, relying on emergency diesel generators with only a 10‑day fuel supply, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported on 30 August Source. IAEA director general Rafael Grossi called the situation “of paramount importance” and said the agency is trying to negotiate a local ceasefire to allow repairs to electrical lines. The plant, seized by Russia in March 2022, has all six reactors shut down but still requires power for cooling.

On the diplomatic front, Ukraine and Canada signed a 100‑year partnership declaration on 10 September, a sign of long‑term Western commitment to Kyiv’s sovereignty Source. The agreement covers defence cooperation, economic integration and support for Ukraine’s EU membership path.

In Washington, a Senate‑passed Russia sanctions bill – the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 – awaits approval in the House of Representatives. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D‑CT) called the situation “a moment of extreme urgency” and urged the House to act, arguing the bill “could undercut completely” Putin’s ability to wage war Source. The bill would allow the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the largest importers of Russian oil, but faces uncertain prospects due to Democratic concerns about granting additional powers.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Independence Day on 24 August saw UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announce the transfer of Storm Shadow missile production technology to Kyiv, and the Coalition of the Willing pledged new military and energy aid packages Source. The steady stream of Western support, paired with Ukraine’s own industrial drone and missile programmes, has allowed forces to sustain offensives like Vivaldi even as Russia struggles to replace its mounting losses.

Operation Vivaldi is the clearest sign yet that Ukraine retains the ability to seize the initiative in the east, although the broader front remains under heavy Russian pressure, particularly around Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka. The liberation of Shandryholove, Derylove and Drobysheve demonstrates that even limited territorial gains can force Russia into costly defensive battles, further widening its manpower deficit.