Third Army Corps completes third stage of "Vivaldi" operation on Lyman direction
Ukraine's Third Army Corps announced the completion of the third stage of operation "Vivaldi" on the Lyman direction in Donetsk Oblast, reporting the liberation of several settlements and the return of 51 km² of territory. The operation's total territory recovered has reached 176 km² since its start, with Russian losses reported at 2,000 personnel and over 250 captured.
Key points
- Third stage of "Vivaldi" announced 28 September by Third Army Corps commander Andriy Biletsky in a video address
- Settlements liberated: Nove, Ridkodub and Katerynivka; control restored over Karpivka and Novomykhailivka
- Third stage returned 51 km² of territory; 176 km² total since the operation's start
- Russian losses reported at 2,000 personnel with more than 250 captured, including whole subunits
- Biletsky described the third stage as pivotal for the entire operation
- Nove described as a "key hub of the enemy on the bridgehead"
- Ukrainian forces used Soviet-era BTR-60 vehicles converted into robotic kamikaze complexes (NRK) to breach fortifications
Why it matters
The third stage of "Vivaldi" brought the operation's cumulative territorial gain to 176 km², including the capture of Nove — which the commander described as a key enemy hub on the bridgehead. Russian losses reported at 2,000 personnel with over 250 captured suggest significant degradation of Russian forces in this sector. The innovative use of robotic kamikaze complexes and ground robotic systems points to evolving Ukrainian tactics on the battlefield.
What happened
On the morning of 28 September, Andriy Biletsky, commander of Ukraine's Third Army Corps, announced in a video address the completion of the third stage of operation "Vivaldi" on the Lyman direction in Donetsk Oblast. During this stage, Ukrainian forces liberated the settlements of Nove, Ridkodub and Katerynivka, and restored control over Karpivka and Novomykhailivka. An additional 51 km² of territory was returned under Ukrainian control, bringing the operation's total since its start to 176 km². Biletsky described Nove as the "key hub of the enemy on the bridgehead" and called the third stage pivotal for the entire operation. Russian losses during "Vivaldi" reached 2,000 personnel with more than 250 captured; Biletsky stated that Russians surrendered in whole subunits together with officers, pilots and artillerymen. Karpivka was liberated by the "Sribna Triyka" (Silver Three) subunit of the Pomsta brigade of the State Border Guard Service together with the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade. Ukrainian forces used Soviet-era BTR-60 vehicles converted into robotic kamikaze complexes (NRK) to breach Russian fortifications, and the 3rd Assault Brigade described the role of NC-13 ground robotic systems in assault, diversion, logistics and wounded evacuation tasks. According to Biletsky, Russia expected the main direction of attack to be Shandryholove — Zelena Dolyna, causing it to redirect reserves into counterattacks on that axis while the real strike targeted Nove. DeepState analysts updated their map on the morning of 28 September, marking Nove, Ridkodub and Katerynivka as liberated.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
All supplied sources are Ukrainian media and agencies, which consistently frame the operation as a successful Ukrainian advance. Coverage centers on the Third Army Corps and commander Andriy Biletsky as the primary actors announcing results. Emphasis is placed on territory returned (51 km² in stage three, 176 km² total), settlements liberated, and Russian personnel losses and prisoners captured. Technical innovations are highlighted, including Soviet-era BTR-60 vehicles converted into robotic kamikaze complexes (NRK) and the role of ground robotic systems such as NC-13. Domestic sources stress tactical success, including the claim that Russia was misled about the main direction of the Ukrainian strike.
Where reporting differs
Sources differ on whether 50 km² of deoccupied territory belongs to the second stage or the third stage of the operation. One account attributes 50 km² of deoccupation to the second stage (with 125 km² returned in total), while another states the third stage returned 50 km², creating ambiguity about how the territorial gains break down across stages. The spelling of the commander's name varies across sources: 'Andriy Biletsky', 'Andrii Biletskyi', and 'Andrii Biletsky'. The spelling of the village 'Ridkodub' also varies: 'Ridkodub', 'Rikkodub', and 'RIdkodub'.
Background
Operation "Vivaldi" has been conducted in the northern part of Donetsk Oblast (Lyman direction) since September. During the first stage, announced 15 September, the Third Army Corps cleared 75 km² and de-occupied 10 km², including Novoselivka, Oleksandrivka, Yarova, the outskirts of Koroviy Yar and Serednie. During the second stage, announced 20 September, the corps liberated Shandryholove and Derylove and established full control over Drobysheve, with 125 km² returned in total and 50 km² de-occupied. On 18 September, the Third Army Corps reported that the elite Russian UAV unit "Rubikon" had been withdrawn from the Lyman-Borivsk direction due to heavy losses. On 21 September, fighters of the Third Army Corps destroyed a Russian pipeline that reportedly covered about half of the occupiers' diesel fuel needs in Luhansk Oblast. Units involved in the operation include the 60th and 125th Separate Mechanized Brigades, the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, the 21st Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment "Kraken", the 3rd Separate Reconnaissance and 25th Separate Anti-Tank Battalions, the 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade, the 85th Tactical Group of the 8th SSO Regiment, the HUR special unit "Artan" and the 10th Mobile Border Detachment "Dozor". On 25 September, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated the operation in the Lyman area was not yet finished but noted positive developments. ISW analysts wrote that the operation disrupted Russian attempts to encircle Ukraine's belt of fortress-cities in the Donbas.