Ukraine liberates three settlements from Russian occupation

Operation Vivaldi has yielded new results, with Ukrainian troops reclaiming another 101 square kilometres of territory and liberating three settlements.

Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky announced this, TodayPress TV reports.

In a statement marking the completion of the fourth phase of Operation Vivaldi, Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky said that, together with the relevant units of the Third Army Corps, Ukrainian forces had liberated Zelenaya Dolina, Lipovoye and Kolodyazi.

According to him, Ukrainian troops reclaimed 101 square kilometres of territory during this phase. Meanwhile, Ukrainian estimates put Russian military losses at approximately 3,000 troops.

The operation began with efforts to eliminate Russian infiltration but eventually developed into a full-scale offensive. The corps claims that the Russian command has begun losing control over its troop units, making their operations more difficult.

The general also cited the prevention of a flanking manoeuvre against the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration as one of the operation’s achievements. According to him, this prevented Russian forces from threatening to encircle the area.

He also highlighted the protection of the Kharkiv-Sloviansk highway as another major achievement. The route is a vital logistical artery for Ukrainian forces in Donbas.

“Russian troops failed to cut off the main logistical artery supplying our grouping in Donbas. We disrupted the offensive by the Zapad Group of Forces and forced them to redeploy some units of the 1st Tank Army, which reduced pressure on Kupiansk-Uzlovyi,” the brigadier general added.

According to the report, Ukrainian forces have restored full control over 16 settlements and reclaimed 277 square kilometres of territory during Operation Vivaldi.

The corps also stated that Russia’s total military losses during the operation amounted to approximately 8,000 troops.