Ukraine says it forced 250 Russian soldiers to surrender in daring operation

Key Points:

• Ukraine’s Operation Vivaldi, involving innovative use of robots and “Trojan” armored personnel carriers packed with explosives, has led to the capture of over 250 Russian troops behind enemy lines in the Donbas region.
• The operation has enabled Ukraine to recapture significant territory, with estimates ranging from 150 to 176 square kilometers regained since its start, reversing months of Russian gains.
• Ukrainian forces used airdropped robotic systems armed with heavy guns and converted old Soviet armored vehicles into unmanned explosive carriers to attack Russian positions from unexpected directions.
• Russian military bloggers and analysts have expressed concern over command failures and supply shortages contributing to Russian losses, while President Putin remains confident about eventual Russian advances despite setbacks.
• Western intelligence estimates high Russian casualty rates and predicts that, at the current pace, Russian forces may not fully capture the Donbas region until 2032, raising doubts about Moscow’s timeline and capabilities.