Lauge Risom Koch 
Ukrainian forces successfully concluded Operation Vivaldi, recapturing 277 square kilometers of territory and inflicting heavy casualties on Russian troops.
A senior Ukrainian commander announced the successful conclusion of a months-long military offensive near Lyman. According to the Kyiv Post, Operation Vivaldi inflicted thousands of casualties on Russian forces while pushing them back dozens of kilometers. Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky confirmed his troops successfully wrapped up the fourth and final phase of this extensive military campaign.
During this final phase alone, Ukrainian forces successfully liberated 101 square kilometers of territory and three additional villages. Independent analysts widely confirmed these substantial ground gains and the severe damage inflicted upon defending Russian military units. Throughout the entire operation, Ukrainian troops recaptured a total of 277 square kilometers and returned 16 settlements to Kyiv’s control.
Third Corps forces executed these attacks using highly coordinated combined arms tactics alongside advanced drone swarms. These specialized units infiltrated Russian defensive positions to cut off critical supply lines before systematically clearing the isolated areas. Emphasizing their tactical advantage, Biletsky stated, “We did not give the enemy time to replace his losses or to construct a viable defense.”
Strategic implications and parallel military offensives
The successful offensive operations achieved a critical strategic objective by pushing Kremlin forces away from a vital logistical highway. This decisive action ensures that defensive positions in the heavily contested cities of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk remain well-supplied. Biletsky noted that this operation demonstrated how outnumbered forces can succeed using asymmetric tactics while maintaining effective defenses elsewhere.
A parallel military offensive led by Ukrainian air assault infantry utilized similar infiltration tactics further south in the Donetsk region. These coordinated successes allowed Ukrainian aggregate terrain gains to finally surpass Russian territorial advances for the first time since June 2025. Following these achievements, Biletsky strongly suggested that planning for a potential follow-up military operation is currently underway.
While the Russian defense ministry steadfastly insisted their forces were holding ground, prominent pro-Moscow military bloggers contradicted these official claims. These online commentators warned for weeks that Russian troops faced heavy pressure from relentless Ukrainian drone strikes and infantry assaults. One popular Russian blogger openly admitted, “The enemy has numerical superiority and a significant advantage in drones.”
Veteran combat units and specialized drone warfare
The military units participating in Operation Vivaldi rank among the most combat-experienced outfits in the entire Ukrainian armed forces. The Third Assault Brigade, originally raised as an untrained militia, is now widely considered an incredibly effective fighting force. This specific brigade serves as an early proponent of closely coordinated tactics combining infantry assaults with advanced drone operations.
Multiple veteran infantry outfits specializing in raiding and behind-the-lines operations received critical air support from specialized drone units. These elite flying outfits employ highly experienced operators who have successfully flown thousands of combat sorties against Russian targets. The specialized drone units provided relentless aerial bombardments that consistently prevented defending Russian troops from digging into their defensive positions.
The famous K-2 Regiment reportedly became one of the first military units in history to modify civilian drones for combat. This innovative squad pioneered the conversion of commercial drones into makeshift bombers capable of dropping grenades on enemy targets. According to unit statements, they also became the first military outfit worldwide to field a dedicated unmanned ground vehicle sub-unit.
