Zelensky praises troops after reclaiming 125 sq km in Lyman sector

President Volodymyr Zelensky inspected the 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade’s headquarters in the Lyman sector on Sept. 30, awarding soldiers for their role in reclaiming over 125 square kilometres of territory from Russian occupation under Operation Vivaldi. In talks with brigade leaders, he highlighted priorities including pickup trucks for units, increased drone budgets, streamlined procurement and expanded staffing, as well as a need for long-range artillery.

The Third Army Corps, which coordinates the offensive, announced one outlet of the villages Ridkodub, Nove and Katerynivka, and the restoration of full control over Karpivka and Novomykhailivka. This phase, described as the operation’s third "season," reportedly caused more than 2,000 Russian casualties and yielded over 250 prisoners. Earlier phases were announced on Sept. 15 and Sept. 20 after naming the offensive and reporting the capture of Shandryholove and Derylove. Success is attributed to suppressing Russian drones, disrupting logistics and employing innovative ground-drone technology.