Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Ukraine Claims Donetsk Gains as Kremlin Backs Trump Energy Truce
Ukraine says its soldiers began a new operation in the northern part of Donetsk.
A Ukrainian commander said they cleared Russian groups from a large area and retook some land.
Ukraine also said it cleared three villages and controls the village of Serednie.
Russia has not publicly answered these battlefield claims.
The fighting is difficult to track because drones create a dangerous area between the armies.
Donald Trump proposed that Russia and Ukraine stop attacking energy facilities.
The Kremlin said this was a good idea but asked for broader measures, including fewer sanctions.
Ukraine said it could support the plan if the United States confirms that Russia truly wants to stop the war.
Ukraine says its forces launched Operation Vivaldi in northern Donetsk.
A Ukrainian commander claimed troops cleared 75 square kilometres and recaptured 10.
Ukraine said it disrupted Russian logistics and cleared three villages.
Moscow has not responded to Kyiv’s latest battlefield claims.
The Kremlin called Trump’s energy-infrastructure truce proposal a good idea, but no formal agreement exists.
- Who
- Ukrainian forces, Russian forces, the Kremlin, Donald Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- What
- Ukraine claims battlefield gains in northern Donetsk while Russia responds positively to a proposed energy-infrastructure truce.
- When
- The offensive and diplomatic exchanges were reported recently; Trump made the proposal on Monday.
- Where
- Northern Donetsk, north of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, and across Russian and Ukrainian energy facilities.
- Why
- Ukraine is attempting to disrupt Russian positions and logistics, while the proposed truce aims to stop attacks on energy infrastructure.
Ukraine and Supporters
Russia and Kremlin Position
Battlefield claims
Ukraine and Supporters
Ukraine says its forces launched Operation Vivaldi, cleared Russian infiltration groups, disrupted logistics, and recaptured territory in northern Donetsk.
Russia and Kremlin Position
Moscow has not responded to Ukraine’s latest claims, while exact control lines remain difficult to establish.
Energy facilities
Ukraine and Supporters
Kyiv says Russian refineries and related facilities are legitimate military targets and wants assurances that Moscow genuinely intends to stop the war.
Russia and Kremlin Position
The Kremlin supports stopping attacks on energy infrastructure but says a wider arrangement is needed, including lower fuel pressures, safe shipping, and removal of sanctions.
- Ukrainian operation
- The Third Army Corps reportedly named the offensive Operation Vivaldi.
- Claimed area cleared
- Ukraine said it cleared Russian infiltration groups from about 75 square kilometres.
- Claimed area recaptured
- Ukraine said it recaptured another 10 square kilometres.
- Villages
- Ukraine said it cleared three villages and secured areas around a fourth; Serednie was described as fully under Ukrainian control.
- Energy proposal
- Donald Trump said Russia and Ukraine had agreed not to target energy facilities, but neither side has formally confirmed an agreement.
- Kremlin response
- Dmitry Peskov called the proposal a very good idea and said broader measures were needed.
- Russian demands
- The Kremlin called for safe commercial shipping and navigation, including for oil tankers, and removal of sanctions on Russia.