(LYMAN, DONETSK OBLAST) – Ukrainian forces have completed the second phase of Operation Vivaldi in the Lyman direction, liberating 125 square kilometres of territory, of which 50 square kilometres have been fully cleared of Russian presence, according to Brigadier General Biletsky, commander of the 3rd Army Corps.
The operation, which has been underway for several months, has seen Ukrainian units employ a novel tactic: unmanned ground vehicles deployed behind Russian lines to conduct assault operations. The 3rd Army Corps stated that during these operations, UAVs and robotic systems were always deployed ahead of the infantry.
The corps claimed to be the first in the world to deploy ground robotic complexes. Heavy bombers have delivered robotic kamikaze systems over 10 kilometres deep into enemy territory. These systems, packed with explosives, drive into targets and detonate.
The innovation marks a significant shift in battlefield tactics. While kamikaze UGVs have been used in the grey zone against fortified positions, this is the first known instance of their deployment behind the front line. The psychological impact on Russian troops, who may believe they are safely behind their own lines, is considerable.
The 3rd Army Corps reported that its robotic systems have completed over 15,700 successful missions, delivering approximately 3,300 tonnes of cargo. Entire units of robotic systems now operate within brigades, meeting up to 80 percent of the infantry’s needs and 90 percent of evacuations from the front lines.
The operation has also seen Ukrainian forces clear Russian infiltrators who had been hiding in basements and tunnels for weeks or even months. Assault groups were organised into mobile tactical units that dug into every tree line and strong point, burning out enemy pockets of resistance. Another 800 Russian soldiers were eliminated in the second phase, bringing total Russian losses across both phases to over 3,000 personnel. The operation continues to erode the offensive potential of three Russian armies: the 20th, 25th, and 1st Tank Army.
According to the Kyiv Independent, citing the 3rd Army Corps, Russia withdrew units of its elite unmanned systems formation Rubicon from the front line in northern Donetsk after suffering heavy losses during Operation Vivaldi. Ukrainian fighters reportedly disabled Rubicon’s command system and destroyed its logistics, ammunition depots, drone launch sites, newly formed units, and experienced UAV operators. The Russians lost the ability to quickly replenish the unit with resources and trained personnel. This report has not been independently verified.
The Russian Ministry of Defence continues to deny the Ukrainian advance. Russian military blogger Rybar stated that a stretch of front 19 by 15 kilometres is “saturated on the enemy side,” but claimed that small assault groups are being repelled. Rybar also noted that the current information output from the Ministry of Defence is “precisely informational, demonstrating the correct party line during a period of Duma elections.”
Another Russian milblogger, Informant, criticised the Ministry of Defence for “again venturing down a slippery path with reports that their summaries exaggerate successes when none exist.” The blogger noted that the ministry is now “openly clearing and taking areas located a few dozen kilometres away from the nearest position of the Russian armed forces.” In some areas, Russian claims are off by nearly 30 kilometres from the actual frontline, which is outside of cannon artillery range.
This disconnect between Russian public claims and battlefield reality suggests fractures in the Russian chain of command, where false reports are passed up the chain to the point where the Russian dictator himself has announced successes that did not exist. It is only after such information is made public that Russian forces begin to reallocate and attempt to stop Ukrainian advances, as was seen in Kupiansk and is now occurring in Lyman.
Footage of the operation was released by the 3rd Army Corps and the AB3 Brigade.
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