According to Zelenskyy, during the operation’s three “seasons,” Ukraine’s defense forces thwarted Russian plans to break through to the rear of the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk urban area in Donetsk Oblast and stabilized the situation in that part of the front. Russia lost more than 5,000 troops killed and wounded, while another 250 were captured as POWs.
Since the start of the offensive, Ukraine has regained control of a total of 176 square kilometers of territory. The meeting also covered plans for a fourth “season” of Operation Vivaldi.
Zelenskyy also spoke with commanders of units directly involved in the operation and discussed their needs in detail, including artillery, and pay.
He said replacing troops with ground-based robotic systems wherever possible remains a promising direction. Unmanned solutions played a key role during Operation Vivaldi, and Ukraine plans to expand its use so drones and other robotic systems can carry out more of the most dangerous tasks at the front instead of soldiers.
The president presented the troops with state awards.
On Sept. 15, 3rd Army Corps Commander Andriy
Biletskyi officially confirmed the launch of a major Ukrainian offensive in
northern Donetsk Oblast codenamed Operation Vivaldi, securing 75 square
kilometers cleared and 10 square kilometers de-occupied. Russian losses at this
opening phase included roughly 1,500 soldiers, over 12,000 UAVs, and hundreds
of combat vehicles and artillery systems, forcing Russian supply chains to
shift fuel logistics outside Ukrainian borders.