Ukrainian forces have liberated between 125 and 140 square kilometers of territory during the ongoing Operation “Vivaldi” in the northern Donetsk region, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Reuters.
Zelensky described the counteroffensive along the Lyman axis as a major tactical success that remains underway, noting that delaying the operation until units were adequately prepared allowed Ukrainian forces to achieve substantial territorial recoveries while minimizing personnel losses.
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“Vivaldi is a very successful operation. It is not finished yet. As of today, approximately 125 to 140 square kilometers have been liberated,” Zelensky said in comments released by the presidential administration.
“Our military wanted to start this operation a year ago, but at the time it was not sufficiently prepared. Fortunately, we decided to postpone it briefly, and now we have good results and fewer casualties.”
According to Zelensky, Russian casualty rates across the theater surged over the past two to three months from an average of 30,000 to 32,000 personnel monthly – comprising roughly 21,000 to 22,000 killed alongside severely wounded soldiers – up to approximately 42,000 casualties per month.
Lyman operational direction
The territorial gains in the Lyman sector follow consecutive operational phases commanded by Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps.
Recent combat actions in the municipality involved joint clearance operations conducted by the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade alongside border guard detachments, including the 3rd Border Guard Detachment named after Yevheniy Pikus and the 10th “DOZOR” Mobile Border Detachment.
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Operational footage released by corps leadership showed units clearing contested settlements and evacuating captured personnel under continuous enemy observation.
Tactical integration
A foundational element of Operation Vivaldi has been the extensive frontline deployment of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and robotic systems operating ahead of maneuver infantry.
During his consultations with operational commanders, Zelensky emphasized that fielding automated robotic complexes in high-threat sectors proved instrumental in breaching defensive belts and preserving Ukrainian personnel.
The operational focus reflects a broader state policy initiated in early 2026 prioritizing the integration of ground robotic systems to replace personnel in logistical, evacuation, and combat breach roles.
The Verkhovna Rada supported the transition by enacting statutory exemptions eliminating value-added tax (VAT) on the procurement and import of ground robotic equipment to accelerate deliveries to frontline formations.
Ukrainian units have conducted tens of thousands of logistical supply runs and wounded casualty evacuations using tracked and wheeled ground platforms, utilizing automated units to navigate artillery corridors and minefields that remain impassable for conventional transport.