How Ukrainian Armored Vehicles Breached Russian Defenses

Details of Operation "Vivaldi" and a Lesson for NATO.

During Operation “Vivaldi,” Ukrainian troops carried out two successful mechanized assaults behind Russian lines. The operation took place from May through October 2026 in the north of the Donetsk region. This experience demonstrated that armored vehicles retain their offensive capabilities even when the enemy makes extensive use of UAVs.

The military analysis publication Defence Matters analyzed the operational methods and their significance for NATO land forces (translation by “Telegraf”). The attacks were based on the coordinated use of heavy equipment and infantry, aerial drones, ground-based unmanned systems, and electronic warfare capabilities.

How armored vehicles reached the drone operators’ positions

Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky spoke about the two mechanized assaults. During the operation, he commanded the Third Army Corps, and now heads the “Center” military group. In one instance, four Ukrainian armored vehicles crossed the line of contact and transported infantry to the positions of Russian drone operators. The soldiers dismounted near the target and continued the attack on foot.

Russian forces damaged one of the vehicles, but it remained operational and withdrew under its own power. Prior to the attack, the crews and infantry underwent specialized training. The armored vehicles were provided with additional protection, and their operations were supported by electronic warfare assets and other combat support systems.

The main objective was to reach the selected targets quickly, rather than spend a long time moving through the area under constant surveillance. The armored vehicles transported the infantry to locations that would have been difficult to reach unnoticed on foot.

How the Conditions for the Breakthrough Were Prepared

Prior to the mechanized attacks, Ukrainian units focused on disrupting the Russian drone network. The priority was on drone operator units, including the “Rubicon” formation. Reconnaissance drones detected their positions, while strike systems targeted personnel and equipment.

The preparations were accompanied by a media blackout: they tried not to publicize information about the advance so that Russian forces would not uncover the plan through open-source publications. Together with electronic warfare and drone strikes, these measures created temporary conditions for armored vehicles to maneuver.

Ground-based unmanned vehicles were also actively used in the operation. Some handled logistical tasks, while others delivered explosives or weapons for strikes against Russian positions. According to official Ukrainian data, ground-based kamikaze drones were used, as well as systems carried by heavy aerial drones into the Russian rear. Remotely controlled platforms attacked fortifications and communications infrastructure.

Results of the Operation and Lessons for NATO

According to the Third Army Corps, over the course of four phases of the operation, Ukraine regained control of 277 square kilometers and 16 settlements. During the final phase, in October, 101 square kilometers were liberated, along with the villages of Zelenaya Dolina, Lipovoye, and Kolodezi. The Ukrainian command attributes these results to the fact that the Russian advance toward the northern approaches to Sloviansk and Kramatorsk was successfully halted.

“We prevented the enemy from flanking the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk metropolitan area and encircling it, and we also defended the Kharkiv–Slavyansk highway. “The enemy was unable to cut off the key logistical artery of our force in the Donbas,” Biletsky stated.

According to Defence Matters, the main lesson for NATO armies is to integrate traditional ground forces with new technologies. Tanks and armored personnel carriers can provide cover for infantry during redeployment and exploit weaknesses in the enemy’s defenses. Their effectiveness increasingly depends on intelligence, reliable communications, electronic warfare, and the ability to jam enemy surveillance and strike capabilities.

Such attacks require well-trained crews and vehicles with adequate protection. Favorable conditions arise in limited areas and do not last long. The “Vivaldi” operation demonstrates the capabilities of carefully prepared localized mechanized strikes in an environment saturated with drones.

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