Ukrainian Third Army Corps claims Russian 'Rubikon' drone unit withdrawn from Donetsk

The Third Army Corps of Ukraine announced on September 18 that it forced the withdrawal of the Russian 'Rubikon' unit—a specialized drone operations center—from the Limansko-Borovskoye front during Operation "Vivaldi" in northern Donetsk. According to the Third Army Corps statement, Ukrainian forces damaged the unit's logistics infrastructure, ammunition depots, drone launch sites, and command systems, while eliminating experienced operators and newly formed subunits. The Third Army Corps stated that Russian forces, unable to rapidly replenish personnel and equipment and facing Ukrainian electronic warfare and air defense systems, began abandoning positions and leaving equipment behind. The unit, described as an elite Russian formation specializing in attack, FPV, and reconnaissance drones, was reportedly relocated to another front sector by Russian command to preserve its remaining forces. The Third Army Corps separately reported clearing 75 square kilometers and liberating an additional 10 square kilometers in the same operation, with forces operating under information silence to eliminate hostile infiltration positions.