A surprise Ukrainian counteroffensive in the eastern Donbas, known as “Operation Vivaldi,” appears to have reversed more than a year of Russian territorial gains around Lyman. 

Ukrainian forces reportedly used large drones and remotely controlled ground robots behind Russian lines, helping them attack troops while reducing risks to Ukrainian soldiers. 

The operation has also allowed Ukraine to gain greater control of the air around Lyman and disrupt Russian logistics, making further Russian advances toward the Donbas more difficult. 

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the Third Army Corps and said expanding the use of ground robotic systems could become an important part of Ukraine’s defense strategy, CNBC has reported.

Security experts cautioned that the operation is not a decisive breakthrough, but said it demonstrates Ukraine’s ability to innovate and challenge Russia’s battlefield objectives.