Ukrainian Military Delivers Aid to Lyman Area as Fight for Donbas Continues

Ukrainian soldiers have delivered humanitarian aid to residents of the Lyman area in the Donetsk region, using a route under constant fire as Russia pursues its military objective of seizing the entire Donbas – which Moscow has set as a precondition for any peace agreement. Vadym Filashkin, head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration, announced the delivery on Wednesday, Sept. 30, crediting a joint effort by the Lyman Military Administration and the 20th K-2 Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. A video attached to his post shows soldiers bringing aid packages to elderly residents who have remained in the frontline community. “The route into the community is under constant fire from the occupiers. Despite all the difficulties, however, we must continue supporting our people. This is an unwavering principle of every Ukrainian: never abandon those in need,” Filashkin said. He thanked Lyman community head Oleksandr Zhuravliov, unit commander Col. Kyrylo Veres and the soldiers who carried out what he described as an “extremely important, yet dangerous mission.” Why the region remains particularly important The Donbas, which comprises the Luhansk and Donetsk Oblasts, is now particularly important as Putin made it his sole objective to seize the rest of the territory. The region is well connected to the Sea of Azov by both rivers and man-made canals and is known for its rich mineral deposits. It used to be the backbone of Ukraine’s coal and steel production. Other Topics of Interest Analysis. Russia Aiming to Kill Ukraine’s Internet – Can It Succeed? Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s telecommunications infrastructure. Kyiv Post analyzes with experts whether Russia can destroy or seriously disrupt internet access across Ukraine. While the Kremlin has long demanded full control of the regions as preconditions for any possible settlement, Ukraine continues to reject giving up its territory and sovereignty as a prerequisite for peace, although it frequently calls on Russia to agree to an unconditional ceasefire. Putin has repeatedly questioned Ukraine’s legitimacy as an independent state, rejecting the sovereignty it gained after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. During the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held in New York last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov – representing Putin – said that the Kremlin will not pause its “special military operation” even during negotiations, adding that Ukraine would have kept its 1991 borders if the European nations had not “engaged in their shenanigans.” The Kremlin has long described Ukraine as part of a broader “historical Russia,” according to CNN, while also accusing Kyiv, without evidence, of violating the rights of Russian speakers in Ukraine. The Donbas, home to a large Russian-speaking population, has long been central to that narrative. It was also where Russia’s campaign to destabilize Ukraine began in 2014. After illegally annexing Crimea, Moscow armed and backed separatist in the Donbas, who seized parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including both regional capitals. Zelensky visits Lyman front The announcement followed a visit by President Volodymyr Zelensky to the troops in the Lyman sector earlier on Wednesday, where he met corps, brigade and battalion commanders at the command post of the 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade. The brigade has participated in the liberation of Novoselivka, Oleksandrivka, Yarova, Serednie, Shandryholove, and the area around Koroviy Yar, according to the Presidential Office. During his visit, Zelensky was accompanied by Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) Mykhailo Drapaty, and Commander of the Air Assault Forces Oleh Apostol. The discussions centered on defense procurement at the brigade level, with particular attention to pickup trucks, as well as strengthening the Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) and increasing funding for drones. It also covered expanding and training military personnel, as well as streamlining procurement procedures. The meeting came as Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a fourth such decree on Monday, Sept. 28, increasing the size of Russia’s armed forces to 2.4 million, including 1.5 million active-duty military personnel. The new ceiling is 15,500 higher than the one set out in a decree that took effect on Aug. 1, which put the military at 2,426,130 personnel, including 1,535,000 troops. Operation ‘Vivaldi’ On Sunday, Sept. 27, Zelensky announced that the Ukrainian Defense Forces have achieved important battlefield results in the Lyman axis under Operation “Vivaldi.” Citing a report from Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi, he said Ukrainian units killed or wounded 10,660 Russian soldiers this week. The operation was announced on Sept. 15 by the 3rd Army Corps, commanded by Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky, following weeks of strict informational silence. In its first phase, the Ukrainian military cleared Russian infiltration pockets around Novoselivka, Yarova, Koroviahyi Yar and Oleksandrivka and liberated the village of Serednie, which Biletsky described as a “shaping, preparatory phase.” On Sept. 20, Ukrainian Defense Forces announced the results of the second phase by saying that they had liberated Shandryholove and Derylove and established full control over Drobysheve. Across both phases, the corps said it had recovered 125 square kilometers (48 square miles) of territory including 50 square kilometers (19 square miles) formally de-occupied. Russian forces are believed to have lost around 800 soldiers in the second phase and more than 3,000 across both phases combined.