Operation Vivaldi Phase IV frees three villages, thwarts Russian pincer move
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The results of fourth phase of Vivaldi operation were announced by Commander Brigadier General Andrii Biletskyi (Photo: Video screenshot/ AFU Third Army Corps)
The 3rd Army Corps and other Ukrainian units liberated 101 sq km and three villages in the fourth stage of "Operation Vivaldi," Brig. Gen. Biletskyi said on Oct. 14.
Ukrainian forces pushed Russian troops out of the settlements of Zelena Dolyna, Lypove, and Kolodiazi in the Donetsk Oblast in the fourth phase. Russian forces suffered approximately 3,000 casualties.
Across all four stages of Operation Vivaldi, the Ukrainian military has liberated 277 square kilometers of territory, including nine de-occupied settlements, while returning another seven to full control, Biletskyi stated.
"Our speed was the key factor of success. We did not give the enemy a chance to restore command and control or build a cohesive, stable defense," he explained.
" The enemy's disoriented command made mistake after mistake. Vivaldi proves that an offensive is possible even with fewer forces through asymmetric actions."
Biletskyi cited the defense forces' ability to prevent Russia from flanking the Slovyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration and squeezing it into a pincer as the primary achievement of the four-stage operation. The offensive also secured Kharkiv-Slovyansk highway and disrupted the operations of Russia's "Zapad" (West) grouping, forcing the Kremlin to redeploy units of the 1st Tank Army, which eased pressure on Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi.
"The Kremlin's plan to capture the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts will not be realized in the foreseeable future," Biletskyi assured.
Operational Milestone and Force Composition
On Sept. 15, 2026, Biletskyi first publicly confirmed the Ukrainian army’s offensive in northern Donetsk Oblast, codenamed Operation Vivaldi. Early reports confirmed the clearing of 75 square kilometers of territory and the de-occupation of 10 square kilometers.
On Sept. 18, the 3rd Army Corps reported that the Vivaldi offensive had forced Russia's elite "Rubikon" UAV unit to pull back from the Lyman-Borova direction after suffering heavy losses.
Ukrainian forces de-occupied the villages of Shandryholove and Derylove, and established full control over Drobysheve.
On Sept. 28, Biletskyi announced the liberation of Nove, Ridkodub, and Katerynivka, alongside the restoration of control over Karpivka and Novomykhailivka, which added 51 square kilometers to the offensive's total.
The sweeping multi-stage operation was achieved through the coordinated efforts of the Third Assault Brigade, the 60th and 125th Brigades, the Kraken special unit, border guards, and SBU special forces, alongside other attached elements.
Analysis of operation
By de-occupying Zelena Dolyna, Lypove, and Kolodiazi, the Fourth Stage of Operation Vivaldi has significantly reshaped the tactical map of northern Donetsk Oblast:
Slovyansk-Kramatorsk Flank Protection: Prior to Vivaldi, the Russian "Zapad" grouping sought to exploit gaps in Ukrainian defenses to bypass Ukrainian stronghold cities from the north and envelop them. Recapturing this 101-square-kilometer sector has pushed Russian artillery and assault units further back, creating a defensive buffer that secures the critical Kharkiv-Slovyansk highway, a vital logistical artery for the entire Donbas group of forces.
Disruption of "Zapad" Group Offensive: The speed and asymmetric nature of the 3rd Army Corps' thrust forced Russian commanders to abandon their own offensive plans and panic-scramble reserves. Crucially, the Russian army was forced to redeploy elements of the elite 1st Guards Tank Army to plug gaps, which directly relieved pressure on the heavily contested Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi rail hub to the north.
The Rubikon UAV Defeat: High-tech attrition was central to the operation's success. Neutralizing the elite Rubikon drone unit early on blindfolded Russian tactical reconnaissance, leaving their command disoriented and unable to coordinate counter-attacks as Ukrainian mobile assault groups bypassed their strongpoints.
Operational Culmination: With 277 square kilometers and 16 settlements de-occupied or secured over four stages, the 3rd Army Corps has demonstrated that well-coordinated, rapid, drone-integrated assault operations can break fortified Russian lines even without massive numerical superiority. The completion of Phase IV marks the stabilization of the northern Donbas front ahead of the challenging winter campaign.
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