- Category
- War in Ukraine
Ukraine Clears 10 Sq Km Near Vovchansk, Eliminating Three Russian Infiltration Groups, ISW Says
Prefer U24 Media on Google
- Authors
![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Ukrainian forces recently cleared Russian infiltration groups from approximately 10 square kilometers of territory east of Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on October 5.
According to ISW, a Ukrainian brigade operating in northern Kharkiv region published footage on October 3 showing the results of operations in a forested area northeast of Vovchanski Khutory, east of Vovchansk.
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
The brigade reported that Ukrainian forces had liberated around 10 square kilometers of the forest and cleared three Russian infiltration groups from the area since June 10, 2026.
At the same time, ISW assessed that Russian forces had managed to infiltrate other parts of the area. The footage indicates that Russian troops likely advanced in northeastern Vovchansk, north of Vovchanski Khutory, and north of Zybyne.
Russian forces also conducted infiltration missions south and southeast of Zybyne at an earlier date, according to ISW.
-351055eb9185407e84a03e8dcb52d241.webp)
The reported gains near Vovchansk come amid Ukrainian counterattacks across other sectors of the front. During the first two phases of Operation Vivaldi, the Third Army Corps and attached units returned 125 square kilometers to Ukrainian control, including 50 square kilometers that were de-occupied, according to the corps.
The operation continued with further gains during its third phase, when Ukraine’s Third Army Corps regained another 51 square kilometers and five settlements, bringing the total area recovered since the operation began to 176 square kilometers.
The gains come as the overall pace of Russian advances has slowed. In its October 1 assessment, ISW reported that Russia lost territory in September while recording more than 46,000 casualties, its highest monthly total of 2026.
According to ISW, Russian forces have lost control of nearly 300 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory since March 2026. The institute assessed that the pace of Russian territorial gains has declined significantly over the same period, at times turning negative as Ukrainian forces carried out successful counterattacks across several sectors of the front.
Discuss this article:
-9a7b3a98ed5c506e0b77a6663f5727c5.png)
-c439b7bd9030ecf9d5a4287dc361ba31.jpg "Photo of Katherina Popilnichenko")