Ukrainian Soldiers Destroyed A Large Russian Division During Operation "Vivaldi"
- 21.10.2026, 11:47
ISW analysts have revealed the details.
Operation “Vivaldi” and other counteroffensive operations by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 2026 enabled Ukraine to seize the operational initiative along the entire front line and effectively halt the advance of the Russian Federation’s army.
This was reported by Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
According to U.S. analysts, Operation “Vivaldi” thwarted Russia’s plans to capture the Donetsk region.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces’ counteroffensive thwarted the enemy’s attempt to bypass the Ukrainian defensive line from the north and create conditions for encircling it.
It is known that the Ukrainian Defense Forces have advanced to the Zherebets River, which has allowed them to shorten the front line and organize their defenses along more advantageous positions. As a result, the Ukrainian military can concentrate more infantry on a shorter section of the front and use drones and artillery more effectively.
Furthermore, in order to resume offensive operations in the Lyman direction, Russian troops will have to cross the Zherebets River again.
Thus, Operation “Vivaldi” thwarted the Russians’ attempt to bypass Lyman from the north, specifically via Svyatogorsk, and then link up in the Barvinkove area of the Kharkiv region with another group that was supposed to advance from the southwest via the Dobropillia sector.
In effect, the Ukrainian counteroffensive thwarted the Russian plan for an operational encirclement. Now Russian forces must consider the option of a frontal offensive east of Slavyansk and Kramatorsk.
Such a scenario involves direct attacks on well-prepared Ukrainian defensive positions, which significantly complicates the advance and increases the cost of the offensive for the enemy.
According to estimates by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), between September 1 and October 16, 2026, Russian forces lost control of an area of approximately 122 square kilometers. At the same time, since the beginning of 2026, they have managed to capture about 100 square kilometers.
It is also reported that during Operation “Vivaldi,” the Russian Federation’s 144th Motorized Rifle Division suffered such significant losses that it effectively ceased to exist as an organized combat unit.
To restore its offensive capabilities in the Liman sector, Russia will have to rebuild the division’s combat effectiveness. This will place an additional strain on the Russian army’s manpower system, which is already facing growing difficulties.
Since the summer of 2026, Russia’s combat losses have been increasing. According to estimates, over the course of several months, the Russian army has lost more than 40,000 service members killed or wounded.
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