Ukraine launches phased 'Vivaldi' offensive near Lyman in Donetsk

Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps has launched a phased offensive operation codenamed 'Vivaldi' near the town of Lyman in the Donetsk region, a senior commander announced on Tuesday. The operation, described as a counteroffensive against Russian forces, aims to disrupt infiltration tactics and reclaim territory in a sector critical to the defense of key Ukrainian-held cities. Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky, commander of the 3rd Army Corps, stated in a video address that the first phase of the operation has cleared approximately 75 square kilometers of territory from Russian infiltrators and recaptured an additional 10 square kilometers. He reported that Ukrainian forces have liberated the village of Serednie and cleared areas around Novoselivka, Yarova, and Korovyi Yar. Biletsky claimed the operation dealt a heavy blow to the combat effectiveness of Russia's 20th and 25th Combined Arms Armies, inflicting significant losses including 1,500 troops, over 12,000 drones, and hundreds of armored vehicles and artillery systems. The offensive is designed to counter what Biletsky described as Russian infiltration tactics, which allowed troops to penetrate deep into Ukrainian positions.