Ukraine's Third Army Corps conducted a novel military operation called "Operation Vivaldi," using bomber drones named Gryphons to deploy unmanned ground vehicles 10 kilometers behind Russian lines in Donetsk. The mission, which involved dropping kamikaze robots equipped with cameras, reportedly resulted in up to 3,000 Russian soldiers being killed or wounded. This unique deep-strike tactic is part of Ukraine's broader strategy to leverage advanced drone technology to gain strategic advantages and pressure Russia into negotiations.
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Story summary
Ukraine's Third Army Corps carried out a groundbreaking mission called Operation Vivaldi, using bomber drones known as Gryphons to drop unmanned ground vehicles behind Russian lines. The mission, which took place in May and concluded last week, involved deploying the robots up to 10 kilometers deep into enemy territory. Cameras on the ground robots captured footage of the attacks, resulting in an estimated 3,000 Russian soldiers being killed or wounded. This operation helped Ukraine recapture five villages and three settlements in the contested Donetsk region, marking a significant tactical shift against Russia's control over about 80% of Donetsk. The use of these "kamikaze" robots represents a world-first in warfare tactics.
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Ukrainian bomber drones were used to drop ground robots behind the Russian frontline in a groundbreaking new 'safari' mission that targeted as many as 3,000 enemy troops.
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that → see → troops
The attack was carried out for the first time by Ukraine's Third Army Corps this week during 'Operation Vivaldi', with Kyiv's forces deploying unmanned ground vehicles 10 kilometres behind Russian lines.
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forces → carry → lines
Cameras mounted on the ground robots captured the surprise operation, which resulted in 3,000 Russian soldiers being killed or wounded.
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soldiers → mount → operation
'For the first time in the world, during [Ukraine's] Operation Vivaldi, the occupiers were attacked by 'Gryphons',' said Makar, commander of the NSI-13 ground robotic systems unit of Ukraine's 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, part of the 3rd Army Corps.
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Makar → attack → Corps
Heavy bomber drones - the Gryphons- 'dropped kamikaze ground robots more than 10km deep into enemy rear areas,' he said.
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he → drop → areas
'Robot cameras captured the technological breakthrough — where the enemy least expected it.'
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enemy → capture → it
He added that the 'unique deep-strike tactic' was created from scratch by the soldiers of the NC13 strike ground-robot unit.
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tactic → add → unit
'Now there are even more of our infantry's lives preserved — and even more of the enemy's manpower and resources destroyed,' the commander added.
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commander → be → manpower
The moment Ukrainian kamikaze robot strikes Russian vehicle after being air-dropped by a drone miles behind enemy lines in in extraordinary new Ukrainian battlefield operation
Cameras mounted on the ground robots captured the surprise operation, which resulted in 3,000 Russian soldiers being killed or wounded
Video grab shows the moment Ukrainian bomber drones drop ground robots behind Russian lines
The unconventional new tactics in Operation Vivaldi are helping Ukraine take back control from Russia within the Donetsk region.
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Ukraine → strike → region
Since Russia's invasion more than four years ago, Ukraine has become a global leader in military drone technology, deploying domestically produced long-range drones alongside missiles for strikes deep inside Russia.
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Ukraine → become → Russia
Its drone technology has impressed governments and defence manufacturers worldwide.
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technology → impress → governments
Kyiv is aiming to make the Russian public feel the war's consequences and pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into negotiating a peace settlement.
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public → aim → settlement
Putin has so far shown no signs that he intends to stop the invasion.
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he → show → invasion
Instead, Moscow and Kyiv have been drawn into an escalating duel of long-range aerial strikes as fighting along the roughly 1,250-km front line in eastern and southern Ukraine has slowed, constrained by large numbers of drones and ground robots that threaten troop movements.
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that → draw → movements
It comes as Russian aerial attacks on Ukraine overnight and into Friday killed five people and wounded 11, while Moscow reported one dead and 21 wounded in Ukrainian long-range strikes.
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Moscow → come → strikes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said eight regions came under attack.
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regions → say → attack
Pictured: One of the ground robots used to strike Russian troops
Russia kept its relentless round-the-clock attacks on the Ukrainian capital, hitting an office block where four people were killed, Zelensky said.
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Zelensky → picture → block
A 14=year-old boy was also killed in a Kyiv apartment building strike, and at least seven residents were injured, according to officials.
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residents → kill → officials
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces hit a missile engine depot near Kyiv, among other targets.
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forces → say → targets
Ukraine hit two refineries as part of its sustained campaign to damage Russia’s economy, Zelenskyy said.
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Zelenskyy → hit → economy
Unconfirmed Russian media reports said Ukrainian drones also struck a Russian military electronics plant and a synthetic rubber producer.
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drones → say → plant
The Aporia
