The Third Army Corps has announced the completion of the first phase of Operation «Vivaldi» in the north of Donetsk Oblast. According to the corps, Ukrainian forces have cleared 75 km² of Russian infiltration and liberated a further 10 km². Corps Commander Andriy Biletskyy stated that the operation consists of several phases and that fighting in the Lyman sector is ongoing.
Briefly about the main points
- The official result of the first phase of the operation is approximately 85 km².
- Ukrainian forces liberated Seredne and cleared four other areas.
- OSINT estimates of 200–240 km² have not been confirmed by the command.
- Russia is deploying reinforcements, including special forces units.
- The next stages of «Vivaldi» are not being disclosed for security reasons.
Liberated Seredne and cleared settlements
The commander on the operation 3rd Army Corps Andrii Biletskyi He officially announced this on 15 September. According to him, Ukrainian units have launched an offensive in the north of the Donetsk region.
The General Staff announced the liberation of Serednye. Novoselivka, Oleksandrivka, Yarova and the outskirts of Korovyi Yar have also been cleared of Russian infiltrators. According to military sources, these operations have created a foothold for further advances.
Why are estimates of 200–240 km² not considered an official result?
Higher estimates have emerged in open sources regarding the area over which Russia lost control as a result of the Ukrainian counter-offensive. Konrad Muzyka, an analyst at Rochan Consulting, has estimated it at approximately 240 km², whilst other OSINT analysts put the figure at around 200 km².
The Ukrainian military command has not confirmed these figures. Reuters pointed out that it is difficult to independently verify territorial gains due to the nature of the fighting and the wide area affected by drone strikes.
The preparations were not publicised; several units were involved in the operation
Preparations for the offensive had not been made public for some time. Reports of the counter-offensive emerged following the Third Army Corps’ official confirmation of the operation.
According to the corps, the 60th and 66th Mechanised Brigades, the 125th Separate Heavy Mechanised Brigade, the battalion tactical group of the 3rd Assault Brigade, the 3rd Separate Reconnaissance Battalion and the 25th Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment. Also involved were the «Artan» special forces unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence, the 8th Special Operations Regiment and the 10th «DOZOR» Regiment of the State Border Guard Service.
Biletsky linked the name «Vivaldi» to the four «seasons» and urged people not to reveal details of the next steps prematurely.
Russia is attempting to reinforce the areas where Ukrainian forces are advancing
Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of the Third Army Corps Petro Gorbatenko He reported that Russian troops are attempting to reinforce this sector, in particular by redeploying special forces units. According to him, the Russian command is seeking to seal off the areas where Ukrainian forces have advanced.
The Ukrainian side states that these actions have not yet halted the progress of the operation. At the same time, Russian troops are continuing to strike at Ukraine’s rear areas and launch infantry attacks on other sections of the front.
The Lyman sector is important for the defence of the north of Donetsk Oblast. The Critical Threats Project believes that Ukraine’s actions north of Lyman have complicated Russia’s plans to encircle the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk conurbation from the north.
Fighting is ongoing, and details of the next stages are classified
The results published by the Third Army Corps cover only the first stage of a multi-stage operation. The Corps is continuing combat operations in the Lyman sector, whilst some details regarding further actions are being withheld for security reasons.
Analysts emphasise that the situation on the front line remains fluid.
