Operation Vivaldi Liberates up to 140 Sq Km in Donbas
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine’s Operation “Vivaldi” has liberated between 125 and 140 square kilometers in the northern Donetsk region. In an interview with Reuters, Zelensky said that delaying the offensive until preparations were complete kept Ukrainian losses low while driving Russian monthly casualties up to 42,000, as the 3rd Army Corps prepares the fourth phase of the…
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on May 16th that Ukrainian forces had liberated between 125 and 140 square kilometers of northern Donbas territory during Operation "Vivaldi". The counteroffensive along the Lyman axis is ongoing, with Zelensky describing it as a major tactical success. He noted that delaying the operation until the forces were adequately prepared allowed Ukrainian troops to recover significant territory while minimizing personnel losses.
Zelensky emphasized that the military had been planning to launch Operation Vivaldi a year ago, but it was postponed due to insufficient preparation. He expressed satisfaction with the results, stating that the operation continues to yield positive outcomes with fewer casualties. According to Zelensky, monthly Russian casualties in the theater had surged over the past two to three months, reaching up to 42,000 casualties per month, including around 21,000 to 22,000 killed and severely wounded soldiers.
The territorial gains in the Lyman sector were achieved through consecutive operational phases commanded by Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps. Recent combat actions involved joint clearance operations by the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade and border guard detachments, including the 3rd Border Guard Detachment named after Yevheniy Pikus and the 10th "DOZOR" Mobile Border Detachment. Video footage showed the units clearing contested settlements and evacuating captured personnel under enemy observation.
A key component of Operation Vivaldi has been the extensive use of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and robotic systems deployed ahead of the maneuver infantry. Zelensky highlighted that these automated robotic complexes were crucial in breaching defensive lines and protecting Ukrainian personnel. The Ukrainian government prioritized integrating ground robotic systems into military operations, supported by the Verkhovna Rada by exempting VAT on the procurement and import of ground robotic equipment to expedite deliveries to frontline formations.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
