From Newsweek · · 2m
Ukraine's Operation Vivaldi breaks Russian encirclement
Ukrainian forces have liberated over 77 square miles near Lyman, thwarting Russia's plan to surround key defensive positions in eastern Ukraine.
In brief
Ukrainian forces have liberated over 77 square miles near Lyman, thwarting Russia's plan to surround key defensive positions in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine's successful counteroffensive near Lyman has eliminated a Russian salient and bought time for its heavily fortified cities, but winter will bring renewed Russian…
Ukraine confirms Operation Vivaldi
Ukrainian 3rd Army Corps Commander Brigadier General Andrii Biletskyi confirmed a counteroffensive codenamed Operation Vivaldi that has eliminated a Russian salient north of the frontline city of Lyman in Donetsk.
32 square miles cleared in first phase
Biletskyi said the first part of Operation Vivaldi had cleared or liberated 32 square miles, including the settlement of Serednie northwest of Lyman, dealing a heavy blow to Russia's 20th and 25th Combined Arms Armies.
Actual gains exceed official reports
Open-source intelligence analysts assessed that Ukraine has liberated more than 77 square miles, pushing all the way to the Zherebets River near the Luhansk border, exceeding the commander's initial claims.
Drone strikes cripple Russian logistics
Ukrainian drone operators isolated Russian supply lines up to 80 miles from the frontline, shutting down a fuel pipeline to occupied Luhansk and forcing the 144th Motorized Rifle Division to relocate from Ukraine to Russia's Voronezh region.
Fortress Belt gets breathing room
The operation relieves pressure on Ukraine's Fortress Belt, a network of heavily fortified cities and defensive positions in Donetsk that form the backbone of eastern defense, preventing Russian encirclement from the northeast.
Winter will test Ukrainian defenses
Analysts warn that coming months will be difficult as Moscow intensifies pressure on the Fortress Belt with winter weather favoring Russian operations. Ukraine's shortage of air-defense interceptors remains critical as Russia targets energy infrastructure.
“Moscow may calculate that it still has opportunities to make territorial gains while using the coming winter to once again target Ukraine's energy infrastructure and civilian population.”
Putin's maximalist demands unchanged
Despite Ukraine's tactical success near Lyman, analysts say the operation is unlikely to alter Putin's maximalist war goals in coming months. Russia continues to push exaggerated claims of battlefield gains while refusing to compromise.
In short
Ukraine's successful counteroffensive near Lyman has eliminated a Russian salient and bought time for its heavily fortified cities, but winter will bring renewed Russian pressure.
