"'Vivaldi' Operation ends: Ukrainians reveal details of the gruesome offensive"

The Third Army Corps announced that the third phase of “Operation Vivaldi” has been completed.

According to its data, Ukrainian forces liberated the settlements of Nove, Ridkodub and Katerinivka, while also re-establishing control over Karpivka and Novomykhailivka.

The corps claims that 51 square kilometers of territory were retaken during this phase alone, while a total of 176 square kilometers have been brought back under Ukrainian control since the start of the offensive operations.

The commander of the Third Army Corps, Andriy Biletsky, claims that his forces managed to deceive the Russians about the direction of the main attack. According to him, the Russian command expected the Ukrainians to advance toward Shandryholove and Zelena Dolyna and therefore moved reserves in that direction.

According to the corps, some Russian units found themselves in a difficult position following the Ukrainian breakthrough. The Ukrainian side says that more than 250 Russian soldiers were captured, including officers, pilots and artillerymen. It also claims that Russian forces suffered around 2,000 casualties during the operation.

During the breakthrough, the Ukrainians also used old Soviet BTR-60 armored personnel carriers, which they converted into unmanned kamikaze vehicles. According to the corps, these vehicles were used to attack the strongest Russian fortified positions.

The Ukrainian claims regarding territorial gains and Russian casualties have not yet been independently verified.