The Third Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has officially announced the completion of the fourth phase of a large-scale offensive operation codenamed "Vivaldi", unfolding in the north of the Donetsk region. According to Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky, Ukrainian defenders have significantly improved their tactical position at the front by liberating three settlements — Zelenyna Dolyna, Lypove, and Kolodyazi. The successful actions of assault and mechanized units have made it possible to return another 101 square kilometers of strategically important territory under Ukraine's full control.
Course of the Operation and Key Achievements
Starting in mid-September 2026 with the elimination of dangerous Russian infiltration in the region, Operation Vivaldi gradually transformed into a powerful and deeply echeloned offensive. During the four phases, Ukrainian forces have already liberated 16 settlements and regained control over 277 square kilometers of land. According to official data from the military leadership, during the latest phase alone, the Russian army lost about 3,000 servicemen killed and wounded, while total irretrievable and sanitary losses of the enemy for the entire duration of the operation are estimated at approximately 8,000 personnel.
Strategic Significance and Logistics Protection
The main achievement of the completed phase was preventing the threat of Russian troops bypassing the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration from the flanks, which could have led to the operational encirclement of the key AFU defense area in Donbas. In addition, Ukrainian units managed to reliably protect the vital Kharkiv – Sloviansk highway. The command emphasizes that successful actions in this direction disrupted the offensive plans of the enemy "West" group and forced the adversary to redeploy part of the 1st Tank Army's forces, which significantly eased pressure on Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi.
Contradictory Data
While covering Operation Vivaldi, analytical groups and open sources note certain discrepancies in estimates of the scale of prisoners and local successes in adjacent frontline sectors. While official reports from the Third Army Corps emphasize the liberated area and disrupted enemy flank offensive plans, independent military observers point to difficult weather conditions and ongoing heavy positional battles on the approaches to neighboring areas. Nevertheless, the overall dynamics of the advance of Ukrainian troops are confirmed by both official video materials and independent monitoring data.
A number of elite units took part in the offensive operation, including the 3rd Assault Brigade, the 60th and 125th separate mechanized brigades, as well as special forces units and the "KRAKEN" battalion. The command notes that despite the formal conclusion of the four seasons of "Vivaldi", combat operations in this sector continue. The music of the offensive plays on, and Ukrainian troops continue to hold the initiative on the battlefield, leaving the enemy no chances of seizing strategic initiative in northern Donbas.
