Ukrainian troops infiltrate Russian rear through gas pipelines near Kupiansk, Khartiia says

Key facts

• Ukrainian troops infiltrated Russian rear lines near Kupiansk after moving through underground gas pipelines.
• The operation, code-named "Veles," involved moving about 15 kilometers through the pipelines.
• More than 30 Russian soldiers were captured, and Russian forces suffered over 100 casualties, according to Khartiia.

Ukrainian troops infiltrated Russian rear lines near Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast after moving approximately 15 kilometers through underground gas pipelines, the National Guard's 2nd Khartiia Corps announced on Oct. 22. The operation, codenamed "Veles," was conducted by the Khartiia Corps and other Ukrainian units. Commander Brig. Gen. Ihor Obolienskyi stated that Ukrainian forces anticipated Russian troops' use of major gas pipelines for covert advances and decided to employ the same tactic. The troops moved through the pipelines before combining their underground advance with above-ground operations, including drone strikes. The corps reported that over 30 Russian soldiers were captured and that Russian forces sustained more than 100 casualties, figures that The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify. Obolienskyi stated the operation aimed to halt Russian underground advances and disrupt their tactics.