The Ukrainian Defence Forces have completed the fourth phase of the «Vivaldi» offensive operation in the Lyman sector of the Donetsk region. According to the commander of the Third Army Corps, Brigadier General Andriy Biletskyi, Ukrainian forces have liberated a further 101 square kilometres of territory and regained control of Zelenaya Dolina, Lipove and Kolodyazi. The Russian army’s casualties during this phase exceeded three thousand servicemen. In total, over the four phases of the operation, the Defence Forces have liberated 277 square kilometres, regained control of 16 settlements, and, according to the corps’ estimates, the enemy’s losses have exceeded 8,000 personnel.
- The Third Army Corps has completed the fourth phase of Operation «Vivaldi» in the Lyman sector.
- Ukrainian forces have liberated a further 101 square kilometres of territory.
- Zelena Dolyna, Lypove and Kolodyazi have been returned to Ukrainian control.
- Russian losses during the fourth phase exceeded 3,000 troops.
- Russian casualties have exceeded 8,000, and more than 250 soldiers have been taken prisoner.
Phase Four of «Vivaldi»: three settlements have been liberated
On Wednesday, 14 October, the commander of the Third Army Corps Andrii Biletskyi announced the completion of the fourth phase of the offensive operation «Vivaldi».
During the fighting in the Lyman sector, Ukrainian units liberated a further 101 square kilometres of territory in the Donetsk region. Three settlements have returned to the full control of the Defence Forces — Zelenaya Dolina, Lipove and Kolodyazi.
According to Biletsky, the offensive operation was initially aimed at eliminating Russian groups that had infiltrated Ukrainian positions. The fighting subsequently escalated into a large-scale offensive.
The Ukrainian military succeeded in disrupting the command and control of Russian units and prevented the enemy from organising a sustained defence in the liberated territories.
Russia has lost more than 3,000 troops during the fourth phase
According to the Third Army Corps, during the final phase of the operation, the Russian army’s casualties exceeded three thousand servicemen. In total, across the four phases of «Vivaldi», Russian troops lost more than eight thousand personnel, according to the Corps’ estimates. In addition, more than 250 Russian servicemen were taken prisoner by the Ukrainians.
A total of 277 square kilometres and 16 settlements have been liberated
Following the completion of the four phases of Operation «Vivaldi» Third Army Corps together with the attached units, it regained control of 277 square kilometres of territory for Ukraine.
In total, the Ukrainian military has regained control of 16 settlements. Of these, nine were liberated from Russian occupation, whilst Ukrainian units cleared a further seven of Russian groups that had infiltrated their territory.
The DeepState analytical project has also confirmed the recapture of Zelenaya Dolina, Lipovoye and Kolodyazev. In addition, analysts have reported that Ukrainian forces have regained control of territories near Stavki and Shandrygolovo.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces thwarted the Russian offensive on Sloviansk and Kramatorsk
Andriy Biletskyy described the thwarting of Russian plans to outflank the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk conurbation as one of the most significant outcomes of the operation. According to the general, the Ukrainian military prevented the enemy from posing a threat of encirclement to this important defensive area.
The Defence Forces have also managed to secure the Kharkiv–Sloviansk road, which is used to supply the Ukrainian military contingent in the Donbas.
Biletsky reported that the advance by Ukrainian units had forced the Russian command to redeploy part of the 1st Tank Army’s forces from the Kupiansk sector to the Lyman sector. In his assessment, this had eased Russian pressure in the Kupiansk-Vuzlovoye area.
Which units took part in Operation «Vivaldi»?»
Servicemen from the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, the 60th and 125th Brigades, the 3rd Separate Reconnaissance Battalion, the 25th Separate Anti-Tank Battalion and the 21st KRAKEN Unmanned Systems Unit.
The 66th Separate Mechanised Brigade, units of the State Border Guard Service, the Special Operations Forces, the National Guard and the Security Service of Ukraine’s drone units were also deployed in the operation.
Biletsky emphasised that one of the key factors in the success was the speed of the Ukrainian military’s actions, which prevented the enemy from regaining control of its units in time.
The corps commander noted that the results of «Vivaldi» had demonstrated the ability to conduct offensive operations with limited forces whilst simultaneously maintaining defences on other sections of the front.
