Ukrainian Vivaldi offensive north of Lyman to relieve pressure on Sloviansk and Kramatorsk

A Ukrainian general said an offensive had been underway for several days north of the town of Lyman in the eastern Donetsk region, an operation military analysts said was aimed at relieving Russian pressure on the key towns of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.

In a video published Tuesday, General Andriï Biletsky, who commands the 3rd Army Corps, affirmed that the operation, called Vivaldi, had so far liberated more than 10 km2 and “cleaned” 75 km2 where Russian units had infiltrated. “Thanks to careful planning and the heroism of the soldiers of the 3rd Army Corps, a major blow was dealt to the combat capabilities of the 20th and 25th combined arms armies of the Russian Federation,” he assured.

AFP is unable to confirm these claims from an independent source. According to several military analysts, this operation aims to reduce a Russian salient approximately 15 km wide located north of the town of Lyman and around 30 kilometers north of the key city of Sloviansk.

In a note published on September 12, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) explained that, if the Russian army managed to extend this salient, it could accomplish an encirclement from the north of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, the two main cities of the Donetsk region still under the control of kyiv. In recent days, several Russian military observers have expressed concern about the Ukrainian offensive in this sector.

Russian military analyst channel Rybar reported on Sunday that fighting was continuing in localities in the north and south of the salient. “Information regarding the extent of the advance of the Ukrainian armed forces remains contradictory,” he said. “However, small opposing groups (Ukrainians, editor’s note) continue to reach at least the Jerebets River,” which demarcates the Lyman salient, Rybar continued.

Ukrainian General Andriï Biletsky said that “a lot of information is now circulating” claiming that “the ultimate objective of the operation” was to liberate all the territory up to the banks of this river. “But our operation is called Vivaldi, and it’s well known, Vivaldi has four seasons. And this is only the first (...) There will be good news, but for now, our actions demand silence,” he continued.