Russian army's failed plan in Donbas: "The northern claw was effectively defeated and destroyed"

Brigadier General Andre Betski, commander of the Third Army Corps, has declared the effective defeat and destruction of the Russian "northern pincer" in the Donetsk sector, specifically within the Daetsk region. According to his statement, the Russian military had originally planned a two-pronged offensive designed to encircle Ukrainian fortress cities by advancing from the south through Dobropillia and from the north via a salient toward Sievierodonetsk and further to Bakhmut. While the southern approach was halted last year, Betski confirmed that the northern thrust has now been successfully routed, preventing the closure of this pincer and neutralizing Russia's immediate offensive potential in this area. The Ukrainian operation, codenamed "Vivaldi," involved significant territorial gains and heavy losses for the Russian forces. During this campaign, Ukrainian units cleared several settlements of occupiers and liberated Sviatohirsk, expanding their control by 75 square kilometers while deoccupying an additional 10 square kilometers. These liberated areas include locations such as Novoselivka, Alexandrivka, Yerpelya, the outskirts of Horlivka, and Sredney. In exchange for these gains, the enemy suffered approximately 1,500 casualties, lost over 12,000 drones, and saw hundreds of armored vehicles, artillery systems, and automobiles destroyed or disabled. Beyond direct combat losses, Ukrainian forces have severely disrupted Russian logistical capabilities by targeting fuel supplies, pipelines, and warehouses, forcing the Russian army to shift its resources outside of Ukraine to the Voronezh region. The operation is a massive collaborative effort involving units from the 60th and 125th brigades, the third assault brigade, the third separate reconnaissance battalion, the 25th separate tank battalion, as well as special operations forces, the main intelligence directorate, and the state border service. Despite open-source reports suggesting the offensive might aim to reach the Donets River, General Betski urged caution against premature conclusions, noting that this phase represents only the first of four planned stages in the broader operation. Looking ahead, Betski emphasized that it is critically important to paralyze Russian logistics and rear areas to ensure they cannot resume their offensive capabilities. If Russia fails to restore its ability to launch effective attacks, it will be forced to attempt direct assaults on Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, and Drushivka, which the general argues would be significantly more painful and costly for them than the failed encirclement strategy. By maintaining pressure on these supply lines and continuing to degrade Russian military assets, Ukraine aims to prevent any restoration of the enemy's offensive potential while securing their strategic positions in the Donbas region.