Ukrainian troops infiltrate Russian rear through gas pipelines near Kupiansk, Khartiia says
Ukrainian forces successfully infiltrated Russian rear positions near Kupiansk by navigating through underground gas pipelines. The operation, dubbed 'Veles,' resulted in significant Russian casualties and captures according to the Khartiia Brigade.
Why it matters
The use of unconventional subterranean tactics highlights the evolving and highly adaptive nature of modern trench and urban warfare.
Prefer on Google by Polina Moroziuk A gas pipeline exit near Kupiansk and remains of a Russian soldier depicted in a photograph at a Khartiia Brigade command post in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine, April 1, 2026. (Patryk Jaracz / The Kyiv Independent) Ukrainian troops infiltrated the rear of Russian forces near Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast after moving about 15 kilometers (9 miles) through underground gas pipelines, Ukraine's National Guard’s 2nd Khartiia Corps said on Oct. 22.
The operation, code-named "Veles," was carried out by the 2nd Khartiia Corps together with other Ukrainian units, according to the corps.
Khartiia commander Brig. Gen. Ihor Obolienskyi said Ukrainian forces had studied how Russian troops were using underground routes and anticipated that they would try to exploit major gas pipelines running through Kharkiv Oblast.
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