Day 1,681 of the war: Zelensky discusses fourth phase of "Vivaldi" operation with military
Zelensky met with troops to discuss plans for a fourth season of the "Vivaldi" operation, as Russian forces launched fresh mass strikes on Ukraine and the national grid operator introduced power-cut schedules. The government says it lacks $27 billion for next year's military budget.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the command post of the Third Army Corps, where he met with troops and unit commanders involved in the "Vivaldi" operation to discuss plans for a fourth season of active combat operations. The talks focused on unit needs, including artillery, technical support and funding.
Zelensky highlighted ground robotic systems as a particularly promising direction, replacing soldiers for the most dangerous frontline tasks, and said this approach would be scaled up. He also met with servicemen of the 21st Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment "Kraken," discussing the regiment's needs and the expansion of drone units within the armed forces.
According to the president, over three seasons of the "Vivaldi" operation, Ukraine's defense forces thwarted Russian plans to break through the rear of the Slovyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration and stabilized the situation on that part of the front. Russia has lost more than 5,000 soldiers killed and wounded, while 250 occupying troops were taken prisoner. Since the offensive began, Ukraine has reclaimed a total of 176 square kilometers of territory. Zelensky also awarded servicemen from several units for their role in the operation.
Mass strikes and power cuts
On Wednesday evening, Russian forces again launched mass attacks on Ukraine. Drones hit warehouse facilities and a residential building in Kyiv, as well as a business center in Odesa. Casualties and damage were also reported in several districts of Kyiv region, while a guided bomb strike on Sumy injured six people.
Following the attacks on energy infrastructure, Ukraine's grid operator Ukrenergo introduced consumption-limiting schedules in several regions starting October 1, affecting both industry and households during set hours.
$27 billion shortfall
Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky said the government has moved to a maximum-savings regime, postponing all non-essential spending, as the war's total cost this year will reach $155 billion while the country still lacks $27 billion needed for military needs in 2027. He stressed that funding from international partners is critical, warning that failure to implement reforms could jeopardize $29.5 billion in foreign aid. Of 42 required decisions, 17 have already been completed, with the rest due by October 15.
