Ukraine Reports Major Gains in Fourth Phase of Operation Vivaldi on the Donbas Front
Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps reportedly achieved significant advances during the fourth phase of Operation Vivaldi
targeting Russian defensive positions along the Donbas front. According to the supplied account, Ukrainian forces reclaimed approximately 277 square kilometers and 16 settlements, challenging Russian positions around the northern Lyman salient after months of entrenched fighting. The reported operation combined large-scale drone attacks, logistical disruption, and coordinated ground assaults. One particularly notable claim involves the first combat deployment of kamikaze unmanned ground vehicles delivered by aerial airdrop behind Russian lines. The report also cites approximately 36,000 Ukrainian drone strikes intended to disrupt Russian supply routes, equipment movements, and frontline communications. The account further claims that Russian forces suffered more than 8,000 casualties and that elite formations, including the Rubikon UAV battalion, were forced to withdraw. It also describes severe losses among Russian commanders and personnel, although the reported casualty figures, unit destruction, and command-level developments have not been independently verified.
If the territorial gains are confirmed
they could place additional pressure on Russian defensive positions and force Moscow to redirect reserves from other sectors, including the Kupyansk front. The reported developments highlight the growing importance of drones, robotic ground systems, and battlefield logistics in Ukraine’s effort to weaken Russia’s defenses and regain occupied territory.
