Russian soldiers infiltrate behind Ukrainian lines using natural gas pipelines: 'Unique' diversionary move in Kursk

Compiled by: Suat TEKİN - 12punto.com.tr

It has been reported that Russia surprised the enemy by using a natural gas pipeline for its special forces during a large-scale operation launched against Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. Pro-Russian war bloggers reported that this diversionary method was used in the attack on the town of Sudzha on Sunday. The military maneuver carried out in Sudzha has been recorded as a first in history.

Ukrainian-born pro-Russian military blogger Yuri Podolyaka claimed that Russian special forces surrounded the Ukrainians by using a natural gas pipeline approximately 15 kilometers long. According to the claim, after staying inside the pipe for several days, the soldiers struck Ukrainian forces from the rear near Sudzha. Sudzha was located on an important pipeline that transports Russian natural gas to Europe.

Another pro-Russian war blogger, Two Majors, stated that a major battle is ongoing in Sudzha and that Russian forces entered the town using the pipeline, catching Ukrainian soldiers by surprise. Russian Telegram channels shared images showing special forces advancing inside the pipeline equipped with gas masks and lights. Two Majors also pointed out that Russia's infiltration operation was an 'unprecedented' operation in the history of warfare.

KURSK WAR CONTINUES

Ukrainian forces captured an area of approximately 1300 square kilometers in Russia's Kursk region in August last year. The Kyiv administration announced that this move was made to gain bargaining power in future negotiations and to force Russia to redeploy its military forces in eastern Ukraine.

According to the war monitoring organization Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces have halted Ukraine's advance on the Kursk front in recent weeks. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are facing the danger of being surrounded. Ukraine's attack last year was described as the most serious attack on Russian territory since the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941.

On March 7, Russian forces began an offensive along the front line in Kursk. As the Ukrainian front was breached on the eastern line, the Russian army launched two offensive operations in the north and south directions to surround the Ukrainians. While clashes in the region continue to intensify, no statement has been made regarding the situation of the Ukrainian army. If Ukraine cannot successfully withdraw its soldiers from Kursk, it could lose tens of thousands of personnel in a short time.

The latest situation in Kursk. Blue areas show areas under Ukrainian control, while red areas show parts controlled by Russia. Yellow areas represent unconfirmed Russian advances. Source: ISW

CLASHES INTENSIFIED

Podolyaka noted that clashes continued throughout the night in Sudzha and that the fighting did not stop. Another war blogger, Yuri Kotenok, stated that Ukrainian forces were transporting equipment from Sudzha to an area close to the border. Kotenok stated that ''Russian units launched an attack in the northeastern part of Sudzha.'' According to Kotenok, fierce clashes are taking place on Lomonosov Street and in the Sudzha industrial zone.

Sudzha was located on a critical pipeline that carries Russia's natural gas to Europe. The gas transfer and metering stations in the region are of great importance for both Russia and Ukraine.

If Russia captures Sudzha, it may become difficult for Ukrainian units to withdraw from Kursk. While the Kyiv administration is sending reinforcements to the region, Russian bombardment targeting infrastructure across Ukraine has caused heavy damage to logistics lines.

News Source: 12punto