Ukraine Retakes 3 Settlements, Outfoxes Russian Forces in Lyman’s Operation Vivaldi

Key Points:

• Ukrainian Armed Forces reclaimed 51 square kilometers in the Lyman direction of Donetsk during the third stage of Operation Vivaldi, capturing over 250 Russian soldiers, including officers and pilots, according to 3rd Army Corps commander Andriy Biletsky.
• Ukrainian troops regained full control of key settlements such as Karpivka, Novomykhailivka, Ridkodub, Katerynivka, and the strategically important Nove, with control of surrounding high ground critical to maintaining momentum.
• The operation involved deceptive tactics that misled Russian forces about the main attack direction, allowing Ukrainian units, including the 3rd Assault Brigade and 3rd Border Guard Detachment, to achieve significant territorial gains and defensive positions.
• Russian personnel losses during this stage reportedly exceeded 2,000 troops, with total losses across the first two phases of Operation Vivaldi surpassing 3,000 soldiers; Ukrainian President Zelensky highlighted these advances as significant in the ongoing conflict.
• The Donetsk region remains a critical battleground as Russia seeks full control of the Donbas, but Ukraine continues to resist territorial concessions, emphasizing the need for an unconditional ceasefire amid ongoing intense fighting in multiple axes including Pokrovsk, Kostyantynivka, and Lyman.