The Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated Shandryholove and Derylove in Donetsk Oblast
The Ukrainian Defense Forces have liberated Shandryholove and Derylove in the Donetsk region and have established full control over Drobyshev. This was reported by Andriy Biletsky, commander of the Third Army Corps. According to him, this took place as part of the “Vivaldi” offensive operation.
Ukrainian defense forces are continuing the “Vivaldi” offensive operation in the Donetsk region. The Third Army Corps reported the liberation of two more settlements: Shandryholove and Derylove. According to the corps, Ukrainian forces have also established full control over Drobyshev.
Achievements of the Operation
According to Biletsky, Ukrainian forces, together with attached units, regained control of 125 square kilometers of territory during the first and second phases of Operation “Vivaldi.” Of this area, approximately 50 square kilometers were de-occupied.
The corps also reported significant losses suffered by the Russian army. During the latest phase of the operation, according to the Ukrainian military, approximately 800 more Russian servicemen were killed. The Third Army Corps estimates that the Russian side’s total losses over the two phases of “Vivaldi” exceeded 3,000 soldiers. The corps notes that the operation is aimed at weakening three Russian armies simultaneously—the 20th, 25th, and 1st Tank Armies.
How the Ukrainian military conducted the operation
Andriy Biletsky said that during the assaults, Ukrainian units actively used drones and ground-based robotic systems. According to him, the Third Army Corps was one of the first to begin using such systems directly during offensive operations. “During assault operations, UAVs and ground robotic systems always lead the way ahead of the infantry. The Third Army Corps was the first in the world to begin deploying ground robotic systems. Our heavy bombers deliver kamikaze ground robotic systems more than 10 kilometers behind enemy lines,” Biletsky said.
According to the corps, Ukrainian artillery and unmanned systems struck key Russian military targets. Among the targets were command posts, communications hubs, logistics routes, crossings, and Russian army reserves. This was intended to complicate the redeployment of Russian troops and equipment to the combat zone and weaken the enemy’s ability to respond to the actions of Ukrainian units.
How Air Defense and Electronic Warfare Operated
According to Ukrainian military officials, air defense and electronic warfare systems played a distinct role during the operation. The Third Army Corps stated that they helped shield the combat zone and hampered the operations of Russian drones.
“Air defense and electronic warfare created a protective dome over the combat zone. The blinded enemy was unable to discern the operation’s plan, while our units consolidated their positions on the liberated lines,” the corps noted. After advancing, Ukrainian troops consolidated their positions. This is crucial to prevent Russian units from quickly retaking lost territory.
Who Participated in the Operation
The Third Army Corps noted that several Ukrainian units were involved in the second phase of “Vivaldi.” Among them were the 60th Separate Mechanized Brigade, the 125th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade, the battalion-tactical group of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, the 21st Separate KRAKEN Unmanned Systems Battalion, the 3rd Separate Reconnaissance Battalion, and the corps’ 25th Separate Tank Battalion.
Attached units also participated in the operation. The corps named the 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade, the 85th Tactical Group of the 8th Special Operations Regiment, the “Artan” special unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, and the 10th “Dozor” Mobile Border Guard Detachment. According to military officials, it was precisely the joint efforts of these various units that made it possible to simultaneously conduct reconnaissance, strike targets, carry out assaults, and consolidate positions in the liberated areas.
What Is Known About Operation “Vivaldi”
“Vivaldi” is the name of an offensive operation by the Third Army Corps. The corps reports a gradual recapture of Ukrainian territories and a weakening of Russian forces in this sector. Over the course of two phases of the operation, according to the corps, Ukrainian forces have regained control of 125 square kilometers of territory and directly liberated more than 50 square kilometers.
At the same time, information about the situation in specific sectors of the front may change. Claims regarding the liberation of settlements and Russian military losses currently come from the Ukrainian side and have not been fully independently verified.
The Third Army Corps stated that the operation is ongoing. “Operation ‘Vivaldi’ has shattered Putin’s election narrative: the Russian army has neither victories nor achieved objectives in Donbas. The next part of the concert and the news are coming soon,” the corps concluded. This was reported by Andriy Biletsky, commander of the Third Army Corps.
The head of state also stated that Russia must end the war against Ukraine. “Moscow must stop building echeloned air defense rings at the expense of other regions and instead end its brutal war and choose peace,” Zelenskyy noted. According to him, there are already possible steps toward de-escalation, particularly in the energy sector and food security. At the same time, the president emphasized the need for political will. Currently, the Ukrainian side continues to develop long-range weapons and strike Russian military and industrial facilities which, according to Ukraine, are linked to supplying its army. The head of state reported this on Facebook.
On the night of September 20, Moscow and the Moscow Region came under a massive drone attack. One of the strikes hit the Gazpromneft-MNPZ oil refinery in the Kapotnya district of Moscow, after which a fire broke out at the facility.
