Ukraine Smashes Russia’s Encirclement Plans, Retakes 277 Km² and 16 Settlements in Donetsk

Ukrainian forces have regained control of another 101 square kilometers (39 square miles) of territory and liberated three villages in the Donetsk region, bringing the total area recovered during Operation Vivaldi to 277 square kilometers (107 square miles).

The Ukrainian military says the offensive has disrupted Russia’s plans to encircle the strategically important cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.

According to Ukraine’s Third Army Corps on October 14, the fourth phase of Operation Vivaldi resulted in the liberation of Zelena Dolyna, Lypove, and Kolodiazi near Lyman. Corps commander Brigadier General Andrii Biletskyi reported that Ukrainian forces had restored full control over 16 settlements during the four-stage operation.

Biletskyi said Russian forces suffered approximately 3,000 personnel losses during the latest phase, raising their estimated total losses throughout the operation to 8,000. These figures have not been independently verified.

The Ukrainian commander said the operation initially focused on eliminating Russian infiltration groups but subsequently developed into a wider counteroffensive. He reported that Russian units experienced disruptions in command and coordination as Ukrainian troops advanced.

According to Biletskyi, the offensive prevented Russian forces from advancing around the flanks of the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk urban area and threatening the Kharkiv-Sloviansk highway, a major supply route supporting Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk region.

The commander also stated that the operation disrupted the offensive plans of Russia’s Western Grouping of Forces, forcing Moscow to redeploy elements of its 1st Guards Tank Army. The movement reportedly reduced Russian pressure on the Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi area in the neighboring Kharkiv region.

The operation involved the Third Assault Brigade, several Ukrainian mechanized brigades, border guard formations, special operations units, and drone teams operating under the Third Army Corps and alongside attached formations.

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War in Ukraine

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Operation Vivaldi was first publicly announced on September 15. During its earlier stages, Ukrainian troops recaptured several settlements near Lyman, including Shandryholove, Derylove, Nove, Ridkodub, and Katerynivka.

Earlier, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on October 7 that Ukrainian forces were advancing near Lyman as part of Operation Vivaldi, while Russian troops struggled to contain counterattacks along the Zherebets River.

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