The Third Army Corps has liberated Nove, Ridkodub and Katerynivka, and restored control over Karpivka and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region.
As reported on the corps’ Telegram channel, enemy losses totalled 2,000 personnel, with more than 250 Russians taken prisoner.
“This is how the third season of ‘Vivaldi’ ended — a turning point for the entire operation,” the statement said. It added that a further 51 km² of Ukrainian land had been regained, and 176 km² since the start of offensive actions.
The main objective of the third season of ‘Vivaldi’ was Nove — the enemy’s key hub on the bridgehead. According to Third Army Corps commander Andrii Biletskyi, whoever controls the heights around this settlement holds the initiative on the bridgehead.
“The enemy was convinced that the main direction of the strike was Shandryholove — Zelena Dolyna. This forced it to senselessly burn through its reserves in counterattacks precisely in that direction. The Russians slept through the real strike, which was focused on taking Nove,” Biletskyi said.
To break through the enemy’s defences, the Third Army Corps used its own invention — Soviet BTR-60 armoured personnel carriers converted into robotic kamikaze systems. They used them to blow up the enemy’s strongest fortifications.
The Russians surrendered in entire units, together with officers, pilots and artillerymen.
“A key role in the third season of ‘Vivaldi’ was played by fighters of the Third Assault Brigade, who demonstrated high morale and professionalism. The 3rd Border Guard Detachment named after Hero of Ukraine Colonel Yevhenii Pikus restored full control over Ridkodub and quickly established defences on the new lines. The 10th Mobile Border Guard Detachment ‘DOZOR’ took an active part in the assault actions,” the ‘Troika’ reported.
- On 15 September, Third Army Corps commander Andrii Biletskyi announced that the unit in the Donetsk region was conducting an offensive operation called ‘Vivaldi’.
- During the first season of the operation, the Third Army Corps eliminated enemy infiltration across an area of 75 km², de-occupied 10 km² of Ukrainian territory and took Russian soldiers prisoner.
- During the second stage of the offensive, fighters of the Third Army Corps liberated the settlements of Shandryholove and Derylove, and also established full control over Drobyshcheve. In total, at this stage they returned 125 km² of Ukrainian territory to Ukrainian control.