Ukraine's Operation Vivaldi reclaims 96 square miles, defeats Russian pincer
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Ukraine's Operation Vivaldi has reclaimed up to 96 square miles of territory and defeated the northern arm of a Russian pincer movement in eastern Ukraine, according to the Institute for the Study of War. The operation, launched in May 2026, has also neutralized about 20,000 Russian drones and forced the withdrawal of Russia's elite Rubicon drone unit from the Lyman area. The gains come even as Russia prepares new mechanized assaults toward Dobropillya this autumn.
Key Facts
- Operation Vivaldi has reclaimed up to 96 square miles of territory in eastern Ukraine, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
- Ukrainian electronic warfare systems neutralized about 20,000 Russian drones during the operation.
- Russia's elite Rubicon drone unit was withdrawn from the Lyman area after suffering losses inflicted by the Ukrainian Third Army Corps.
- Russia is preparing future mechanized assaults toward Dobropillya in Donetsk Oblast this autumn.
Operation Vivaldi Gains
Operation Vivaldi, launched in May 2026 by the Ukrainian Third Army Corps, has reclaimed up to 96 square miles of territory. The operation defeated Russian forces that formed the northern part of a pincer movement attempting to encircle Ukraine's Fortress Belt cities in eastern Ukraine. Strict operational security kept successful advances under wraps, misleading Russian leaders whose awareness is hindered by a pervasive culture of lying within the Russian military, according to the ISW.
Drone Warfare and Electronic Warfare
Ukraine's intermediate-range drone strike campaign targeted Russian fuel supplies, reducing diesel availability for generators powering Russian electronic warfare systems. Ukrainian electronic warfare systems reportedly neutralized about 20,000 Russian drones. These factors helped Ukraine achieve tactical drone overmatch while supporting mechanized advances toward Lyman in Donetsk Oblast, according to the ISW assessment. Members of Russia's elite Rubicon drone unit were withdrawn from the region after the Ukrainian Third Army Corps inflicted losses on Russian drone pilots and resources, according to The Kyiv Independent.
Russian Preparations and Hybrid Threats
The Russian military is directing armored vehicles and drone units such as Rubicon toward Dobropillya in Donetsk Oblast in preparation for future mechanized assaults this autumn. During the summer, Russia tested a new anti-drone protection system for its most modern tanks, but Ukrainian drones still overwhelmed the tanks' defenses. Russia has adapted many of the same drone warfare innovations used by Ukraine while continuing to attack Ukrainian cities with missiles and drones. Russia has stepped up hybrid warfare against Europe, including an explosive drone boat near a vital offshore gas site and an attempt to attack parked Ukrainian cargo aircraft with a drone at Leipzig Airport in Germany.
1 source
Time · lag behind first