The offensive operation by the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the northern part of the Donetsk region, codenamed "Vivaldi," continues to develop with growing intensity. This was stated in a conversation with journalists by the commander of the Third Army Corps, Brigadier General Andrii Biletskyi. According to him, over two so-called "seasons" of the offensive, the corps, together with attached units, has returned 125 square kilometers of territory under Ukrainian control, of which 50 sq. km were fully deoccupied. The commander emphasized that the operation is not only ongoing but is "gaining momentum," and that the next results, in his words, will not be long in coming.
Course of the Operation and Liberated Settlements
In the course of the offensive, the Third Army Corps, according to Biletskyi, liberated and established full control over a number of settlements, in particular Shandryhove, Derilove, and Drobysheve. These results, as the commander noted, were the outcome of the steady consolidation of seized positions by Ukrainian units. Thus, the front of the offensive in northern Donbas is shifting deeper into the previously occupied territory, while the liberated villages are turning into strongpoints for further advance.
Enemy Losses and the Attrition of Three Russian Armies
According to the data provided by the corps commander, approximately 800 enemy soldiers were killed in the course of the fighting, and the cumulative losses of the Russian army over both "seasons" of Operation "Vivaldi" exceeded 3,000 personnel. Biletskyi also stated that the Third Army Corps is deliberately wearing down the offensive potential of three Russian formations at once — the 20th and 25th Armies, as well as the 1st Tank Army. In his words, it is precisely the combination of strikes against personnel, equipment, and logistics that allows Ukrainian units to hold the initiative in the combat area.
Robotics and Drones: The World's First Airdrop of Ground Complexes
Robotics occupied a special place in the description of the tactics. Biletskyi reported that during assault operations, drones and ground robotic complexes (GRCs) always go ahead of the infantry. According to him, the Third Army Corps was the first in the world to begin airdropping ground robotic complexes, with heavy bombers delivering GRC-suicide units more than 10 kilometers into the enemy rear. This, as the commander emphasized, allows enemy positions to be suppressed before the main infantry strike group arrives.
Fire Support and Protection of the Combat Area
The corps commander also spoke about the role of artillery and unmanned systems, which, according to him, struck enemy command posts, communications nodes, logistical facilities, crossings, and reserves. In parallel, as Biletskyi noted, air defense and electronic warfare systems created a "protective dome" over the combat area. As a result, in his assessment, the enemy was unable to decipher the operation's plan, while Ukrainian units confidently consolidated on the liberated positions.
Context: Advances Over the Past Week
Operation "Vivaldi" is unfolding against the backdrop of broader dynamics on the northern sector of the front in the Donetsk region. Over the past week, the Defense Forces made new advances, clearing and liberating several settlements. In particular, Ukrainian troops reportedly dislodged the enemy from the settlement of Serednie without losses, fully clearing it and taking it under control. It was also previously noted that during the fighting, an area larger than the city of Zhytomyr in size was liberated, disguised enemy groups were eliminated, and a bridgehead for further offensive in the region was created.
Concluding his comment, Brigadier General Andrii Biletskyi used an image tied to the operation's name: "The music of 'Vivaldi' continues. And the next news — soon." Thus, the command of the Third Army Corps is signaling its intention to increase the tempo of the offensive in northern Donbas and to achieve new territorial results in the coming days.
