A single striking photograph showing captured Russian troops huddled together in defeat has revealed the stark reality of the deepening crisis facing Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The latest operational update from Ukrainian commanders confirms that troops of the 3rd Army Corps have liberated five key settlements in the northern Donetsk region as part of a major offensive, dubbed Operation Vivaldi.
The rapid advance recaptured 20 square miles of territory in its final phase alone, bringing the total land recovered to approximately 68 square miles. The push eliminated a major dangerous advance on the front lines that Kremlin forces had spent months trying to build to encircle Ukrainian defenders.
For Vladimir Putin, who likes to project raw and unyielding military power, the human cost of defeat is a direct public relations disaster. The third stage of Operation Vivaldi caused more than 2,000 Russian casualties and took more than 250 Russian soldiers prisoner.
Images of defeated and rounded-up Russian captives standing in line stand in stark contrast to Moscow’s cinematic assertions of unwavering determination.
“The idea of Russians not surrendering in films has transformed in practice into entire units fully surrendering, including officers, pilots and gunners,” said Brigadier General Andrii Biletskyi, commander of the 3rd Army Corps. “We hope to exchange them soon for Ukrainian soldiers currently in captivity. »
Biletskyi said the troops’ capture marks a turning point in the campaign, describing how kyiv’s forces outwitted Russian commanders at every turn through clever deception and cutting-edge combat tactics.
Moscow’s military leadership completely fell for a tactical feint, mistakenly believing that the main Ukrainian attack was taking place further west. Russian generals were frantically burning through their precious military reserves by waging futile counterattacks in the wrong direction while Ukrainian forces passed them unnoticed.
“The Russians slept during the real attack, which was aimed at capturing Nove,” Biletskyi said, referring to a critical elevated logistics center in the region. He explained that whatever military force holds the surrounding heights effectively controls the entire area.
To break through heavily fortified Russian defensive lines, Ukrainian forces have deployed an inventive range of military technology, including old Soviet-era eight-wheeled armored personnel carriers converted into robotic and automated suicide drones. Packed with explosives, the unmanned armored vehicles drove straight into heavy enemy bunkers, demolishing the strongest Russian fortifications and opening the way for infantry.
This massive tactical success was achieved despite the fact that Ukrainian forces were heavily outnumbered on the ground and operating under constant threat from dangerous enemy aerial drones patrolling frontline airspace. By systematically jamming Russian drone communications and blocking supply chains, Ukrainian units have opened vital corridors for their ground assaults.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the breakthrough, highlighting “significant results” along the Eastern Front as the successful third phase of Operation Vivaldi drew to a close.
Gn world
