During Operation “Vivaldi,” Ukrainian troops deployed ground robots into the Russian army’s rear for the first time. The Third Army Corps announced this, as reported by Hromadske.ua and the PromPolitInform portal.
Soldiers used heavy bomber drones to deliver the kamikaze ground robot behind enemy lines. Brigadier General Andriy Biletskyi, the corps commander, stated that the ground robots were deployed more than 10 kilometers into the Russian army’s rear—an operation that marks a world first.
“Wars are won by infantry, but we protect our infantry, so robots go to the enemy first,” the Third Army Corps said regarding the operation.
At the same time, corps troops employed electronic warfare (EW) and air defense systems to “blind” Russian reconnaissance drones. This prevented the occupiers from uncovering the offensive’s plan, the military explained.
Third Army Corps Commander Andriy Biletskyi announced today that during the second phase of the “Vivaldi” counter-offensive operation in the northern Donetsk region, Ukrainian troops liberated the settlements of Shandryholove and Derylove. The settlement of Drobysheve also came under Ukrainian control. Additionally, over the course of two stages, a total of 125 km² of territory was reclaimed under the “Vivaldi” operation, with Ukrainian forces de-occupying 50 km² of that area.
On September 15, Biletskyi confirmed a counteroffensive in the north of the Donetsk region—an operation designated “Vivaldi.” During its first stage, Ukrainian troops cleared 75 km² of territory.
