Ukraine’s Defense Forces are continuing offensive operations in the northern part of Donetsk region as part of the first phase of Operation Vivaldi. Over the past week, Ukrainian troops have advanced, cleared Rai-Oleksandrivka and several other settlements whose names are not yet being disclosed for tactical reasons.
Petro Horbatenko, chief of staff and deputy commander of the Third Army Corps, said this on September 19 during an appearance on Suspilne Studio, Suspilne Donbas reports.
According to him, units of the Third Army Corps and other Defense Forces units operating in the Lyman sector are continuing their offensive, while Russian losses in killed, wounded and captured personnel have exceeded the expectations of the Ukrainian command.
Horbatenko said Russian forces in this sector are disorganized and are trying to redeploy special operations units to contain the breakthrough, but these efforts have so far failed.
In addition to the previously confirmed liberation of Serednie and the clearing of Korovii Yar, Novoselivka, Yarova and Oleksandrivka, Ukrainian forces have also cleared Rai-Oleksandrivka. Other settlements have also been liberated, but their names are not yet being disclosed.
“There are also other liberated villages, but we are not naming them because we cannot afford not to take advantage of the enemy’s stupidity and the way they are misleading themselves. So for now, some things have to remain secret,” Horbatenko said.
According to the officer, Russian forces are trying to counter the Ukrainian advance with infantry assaults, while also carrying out missile, bomb and drone strikes on rear-area cities in Kharkiv and Donetsk regions, including Izium, Balakliia, Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
Preparations for the operation included establishing separate coordination units, strengthening air defense and electronic warfare capabilities, striking Russian drone launch sites and disrupting Russian logistics in the area.
Horbatenko said the clearing of settlements was carried out through coordinated action by reconnaissance and strike units using drones, artillery, aviation and other weapons systems.
The first phase of Operation Vivaldi was conducted under conditions of strict information silence. According to previously released figures, Ukrainian forces cleared around 75 square kilometers of territory and liberated another 10 square kilometers from Russian occupation.
Horbatenko said the current phase of the operation will not be the last.
“This is only the first phase. There will be at least three more ahead, and possibly even more. We will see how far we take this. The symphony will continue, and there are still many pleasant surprises ahead,” he said.
