Key facts
- Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps and attached units are engaged in Operation Vivaldi in the Lyman sector of Donetsk Oblast.
- The operation uses a combination of infantry, air defense, electronic warfare, aerial drones, and unmanned ground vehicles.
- By late September, Ukrainian forces had retaken 176 square kilometers.
- Drone operators from the 66th Mechanized Brigade are using fixed-wing strike drones called Darts.
- Unmanned ground vehicles are being used for logistics, carrying up to half a metric ton of cargo.
Ukrainian forces are employing a sophisticated combination of drones and unmanned ground vehicles in their counteroffensive in the Lyman sector of Donetsk Oblast, an operation codenamed Vivaldi. The 3rd Army Corps and its subordinate units, including the 66th Mechanized Brigade, are utilizing these technologies to push back Russian forces who are attempting to recapture the city.
The operation, which ran under a news blackout for weeks, was made public on September 15 by Brig. Gen. Andrii Biletskyi, commander of the 3rd Army Corps. As of late September, the corps reported retaking 176 square kilometers through closely coordinated efforts involving infantry, air defense, electronic warfare, aerial drones, and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs).
Drone operators from the 66th Mechanized Brigade, working from a dugout near the front lines, prepare and launch fixed-wing strike drones known as Darts. These drones are used in conjunction with other units employing HIMARS rockets to target Russian artillery positions, aiming to clear the way for infantry advances. The soldiers described the process of assembling and launching the drones, highlighting the teamwork involved.
Meanwhile, unmanned ground vehicles are revolutionizing logistics. Operators like Kuzya, a UGV operator in the 66th Brigade's tank battalion, are using these robots to deliver food, medicine, and ammunition to the front lines, significantly reducing risk compared to manual transport. These UGVs can carry substantial cargo and are designed to withstand potential mine impacts. The battalion has rapidly developed its UGV capabilities, becoming one of the top units in the region for their deployment.