Operation Vivaldi: Ukraine’s Gains and Russia’s Response

09/21/2026

I examine Operation Vivaldi, the Ukrainian 3rd Army Corps campaign north of Liman, where the corps says it retook 40 square kilometers in its second phase and liberated Shandrohovo, Derilov, and Drobyshev. I compare those claims with Russian statements, Russian milblogger reporting, geolocated footage, DeepState mapping, and ISW’s assessment that Moscow portrayed the battlefield inaccurately.

The most consequential reported tactic was heavy multirotor “Baba Yaga” drones delivering kamikaze unmanned ground vehicles more than 10 kilometers behind Russian lines. I trace how UGVs moving ahead of infantry, electronic warfare suppressing Russian reconnaissance, artillery, and strikes on command posts, logistics, and reserves may have enabled a flanking maneuver. The stakes extend beyond Liman: pressure on the 1st Guards Tank Army, 20th Combined Arms Army, and 25th Combined Arms Army could complicate Russia’s anticipated autumn approach to Donetsk.

00:00 Operation Vivaldi and the Liman salient
02:22 Ukraine’s territorial gains in Vivaldi’s second phase
04:07 The 3rd Army Corps and Russian force losses
07:06 Command initiative, infantry, and combined arms
10:00 Strikes on Russian logistics and rear areas
12:14 What Liman means for Russia’s Donbas offensive
14:42 Project Constantine and support for Ukraine