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Ukraine used modified Soviet-era BTR-60 armored vehicles as unmanned “zombie cars” during Operation Vivaldi on Monday, which led to the recapture of three villages in Nove and resulted in 250 Russian soldiers being captured. Brig. Gen. Andrii Biletskyi reported that these kamikaze vehicles played a crucial role by breaking through heavily fortified positions, leading to significant Russian casualties and surrenders. The operation also freed the settlements of Ridkodub and Katerynivka, with nearly 68 square miles of land reclaimed from Russia’s control, as part of broader efforts to innovate against ongoing Russian invasion forces.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-29,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On Monday, Ukraine launched Operation Vivaldi, recapturing three villages—Ridkodub, Nove, and Katerynivka—in the Donetsk region, and regaining full control over two others. The operation resulted in capturing around 250 Russian soldiers and inflicting an estimated 2,000 casualties on Russian forces. Brigadier General Andrii Biletskyi, commander of Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps, highlighted that the offensive involved transforming Soviet-era armored vehicles into unmanned "zombie cars" to breach heavily fortified positions in Nove. This tactic forced entire Russian units, including officers and artillerymen, to surrender, challenging previous perceptions that Russians never surrendered in combat. The success underscores Ukraine's broader counteroffensive strategy against Russia, reclaiming significant territory since the start of the year.
Written for “Ukraine Offensive Advances” on 2026-10-04,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
Ukraine transformed Soviet-era armored vehicles into unmanned “zombie cars” that blew away Russian defenses and allowed Kyiv to capture 250 Moscow soldiers, officials said.
asserted
officials → transform → soldiers
As part of Operation Vivaldi, which saw the liberation of three Ukrainian villages on Monday, Kyiv’s troops unleashed a squad of self-driving BTR-60 armored vehicles that slammed into Russia’s most heavily fortified positions in the city of Nove.
asserted
that → see → Nove
Footage from the frontline battle showed how the armored vehicles raced across muddy terrain and barreled into the barracks in Nove, which had been converted to a key Russian logistics hub.
asserted
which → show → hub
The operation was carried out by Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps, with Brig. Gen. Andrii Biletskyi touting the quick work that forced entire Russian units to surrender.
“The idea that ‘Russians don’t surrender’ from movies in practice turned into entire units surrendering in full — including officers, pilots and artillerymen,” Biletskyi said of the beaten Kremlin forces.
asserted
Biletskyi → carry → forces
The kamikaze vehicles are only the latest examples of how Ukraine has been forced to innovate and create mechanized forces to counter the never-ending wave of Russia’s invasion force.
asserted
Ukraine → force → force
The machines have gotten deadlier in the four years of war, with Biletskyi estimating that some 2,000 Russian troops were wounded or killed in the latest operation.
asserted
troops → get → operation
The liberation of Nove was conducted under Operation Vivaldi, a phased counter-assault aimed at taking back Ukrainian land occupied by Russia’ army.
asserted
liberation → conduct → army
Along with Nove, the 3rd Army Corps freed the settlements of Ridkodub and Katerynivka, as well as restored full Ukrainian-control to the villages of Karpivka and Novomykhailivka.
asserted
Corps → free → Karpivka
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asserted
Report → start → news
Operation Vivaldi has so far liberated nearly 68 square miles of land from Russian forces, according to the Ukrainian military, with Kyiv previously taking back about 288 square miles in the first months of 2026.
uncertain
Kyiv → liberate → 2026
Russia’s army still controls about 45,000 square miles of territory, or about 20% of Ukraine, according to an analysis from the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank.
uncertain
army → control → tank
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