Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps retakes 85 sq km in Lyman counteroffensive

September 15, 2026 at 11:33 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps announced on September 15 that it had cleared 75 square kilometers of Russian infiltration and deoccupied another 10 square kilometers in the Lyman direction of northern Donetsk Oblast. The operation, named "Vivaldi," also restored control over the village of Serednie, according to corps commander Andriy Biletskyi. The Ukrainian military claims Russian losses of about 1,500 soldiers and more than 12,000 drones.

Key Facts

The 3rd Army Corps reported clearing 75 sq km of Russian infiltration and deoccupying 10 sq km in the Lyman direction on September 15.
Ukrainian forces regained control of the village of Serednie and cleared the settlements of Novoselivka, Yarova, Oleksandrivka, and the outskirts of Korovii Yar.
The DeepState project estimated the total area of returned territories, including Serednie and its surroundings, at 12.5 sq km.
The Ukrainian military claimed Russian losses of about 1,500 soldiers, more than 12,000 drones, and hundreds of armored vehicles, artillery systems, and vehicles.
Russian military bloggers have acknowledged a difficult situation for the Russian army in the Lyman direction since at least September 9, according to the Institute for the Study of War.

Operation Vivaldi Gains

The 3rd Army Corps announced the results of Operation Vivaldi in a Telegram post on September 15, signed by commander Andriy Biletskyi. The operation cleared 75 sq km of Russian infiltration and deoccupied an additional 10 sq km in the Lyman direction. Ukrainian forces regained control of the village of Serednie and cleared Novoselivka, Yarova, Oleksandrivka, and the outskirts of Korovii Yar. The DeepState project reported that Ukrainian forces recaptured Serednie and pushed Russian troops back near the village of Shandryholove. DeepState estimated the total area of returned territories, including Serednie and its surroundings, at 12.5 sq km, noting that this territory has been under Ukrainian control since May.

Russian Losses and Logistics

The 3rd Army Corps claimed Russian losses of about 1,500 soldiers, more than 12,000 drones, and hundreds of armored vehicles, artillery systems, and vehicles. The corps stated that a crushing blow was dealt to the combat capability of Russia's 20th and 25th armies. Ukrainian drone units cut enemy logistics routes, forcing Russian forces to move fuel and lubricant supplies outside Ukraine to Voronezh Oblast. The pipeline was dismantled and warehouses were removed, according to the Ukrainian military. Commander Biletskyi said the results achieved in the Lyman direction represent only one of four "seasons," drawing an analogy with Vivaldi's "Four Seasons."

Russian Military Bloggers' Assessment

Russian military bloggers have been reporting a difficult situation for the Russian army in the Lyman direction since at least September 9, according to the Institute for the Study of War. One blogger stated that the Ukrainian side has been counterattacking in this direction for several months, but the Russian command paid insufficient attention to it.