Ukraine’s Third Army Corps has liberated Shandryholove and Derylove and established full control over Drobysheve in Donetsk Oblast. In total, 125 square kilometers of territory have been returned to Ukrainian control during the two phases of the “Vivaldi” offensive operation.
This was reported by Third Army Corps commander Brigadier General Andrii Biletsky.
According to him, 50 of the 125 square kilometers brought back under Ukrainian control were directly liberated from Russian occupation. During the second phase of the operation, Ukrainian forces also killed around 800 Russian troops.
Total Russian personnel losses during the two phases of “Vivaldi” have exceeded 3,000, according to the corps. The Third Army Corps says its forces are confronting units from three Russian armies in this sector – the 20th, 25th and 1st Guards Tank Army.
Shandryholove, Derylove and Drobysheve are located near Lyman in northern Donetsk Oblast. Control of these settlements is important for securing the northern and northwestern approaches to Lyman.
Biletsky said drones and unmanned ground vehicles were actively deployed ahead of infantry units during assault operations.
“The Third Army Corps was the first in the world to begin airlifting unmanned ground vehicles. Our heavy bomber drones deliver kamikaze UGVs more than 10 kilometers behind enemy lines,” he said.
According to the corps, artillery and unmanned systems struck Russian command posts, communications hubs, logistics routes, crossings and reserves. Air defense and electronic warfare units provided cover over the area of operations.
The second phase of “Vivaldi” involved troops from the 60th Separate Mechanized Brigade, the 125th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade, a battalion tactical group of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, the 21st Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment KRAKEN, the 3rd Separate Reconnaissance Battalion and the 25th Separate Anti-Tank Battalion.
The operation also involved the 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade, a tactical group of the 8th Special Operations Forces Regiment, the “Artan” special unit of Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence, and the 10th Mobile Border Detachment “DOZOR”.
“The music of ‘Vivaldi’ continues. And more news is coming soon,” Biletsky concluded.
