Biletsky announces new stage of "Vivaldi" operation: three settlements liberated

The Third Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced the completion of the third stage of the offensive operation "Vivaldi" in the Lyman direction. Ukrainian forces liberated Nove, Ridkodub, and Katerynivka, and also regained control over Karpivka and Novomykhailivka.

This was reported by the Third Army Corps. According to its data, during the third stage of the operation, another 51 sq. km of territory came back under Ukrainian control. Since the beginning of the offensive actions as part of "Vivaldi", this figure has reached 176 sq. km.

The liberation of Ridkodub, Nove, and Katerynivka was separately confirmed by DeepState. Analysts also recorded the restoration of Ukrainian positions near Novomykhailivka and Lypove. Thus, independent cartographic confirmation covers three settlements declared liberated by the corps, although regarding other areas the wording of the Third Corps and DeepState differs.

The commander of the Third Army Corps, Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky, named Nove as the main objective of the third stage. According to him, the settlement was a key node of Russian forces on the bridgehead, and control over the heights around it affects the ability to maintain initiative on this section of the front.

According to the corps, the Ukrainian command tried to convince the enemy that the main strike was being prepared in the direction of Shandryholove - Zelena Dolyna. Russian forces transferred reserves there and conducted counterattacks, while the main forces of the offensive were concentrated on Nove.

"The enemy was convinced that the main direction of the strike was Shandryholove - Zelena Dolyna. This forced them to senselessly burn their reserves in counterattacks precisely in that direction. The Russians slept through the real strike, which was focused on taking Nove", - stated Biletsky.

During the breakthrough of fortifications, Ukrainian soldiers used converted Soviet BTR-60 armored personnel carriers. The corps claims that the APCs were turned into remotely controlled kamikaze robotic complexes and used to blow up the most fortified enemy positions.

According to the Third Corps, Russian losses in manpower during the third stage amounted to about 2 thousand people, and over 250 Russian soldiers were captured. The corps stated that among the prisoners were also officers, artillerymen, and drone operators. There is currently no independent confirmation of these figures.

Units of the Third Assault Brigade, the 3rd Border Detachment named after Hero of Ukraine Colonel Yevheniy Pikus, and the 10th Mobile Border Detachment "DOZOR" took part in the offensive actions. The border guards, according to the corps report, in particular restored full control over Ridkodub and consolidated on new lines.

The "Vivaldi" operation began in September. During the first stage, the Third Corps reported clearing Novoselivka, Oleksandrivka, Yarova, and the outskirts of Korovyi Yar from Russian infiltration, as well as the liberation of Serednie. At that time, 85 sq. km were returned to Ukrainian control, of which 10 sq. km were directly deoccupied.

During the second stage, which the corps reported on September 20, Ukrainian forces freed Shandryholove and Derylove and established full control over Drobysheve. After the first two stages, the total area of territories brought back under control was 125 sq. km.

Based on materials from: Third Army Corps, DeepState