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Ukraine war shifts to underground combat in Soviet-era pipelines
The conflict in Ukraine has entered a new phase characterized by intense underground warfare. Due to the dominance of drones in the airspace, which makes surface movement extremely hazardous, both Russian and Ukrainian forces are increasingly utilizing abandoned Soviet-era gas and water pipelines to move troops and equipment.
In the Kupiansk sector, the Ukrainian 13th Brigade ‘Khartia’ has been engaged in a war of attrition within these subterranean networks for months. Russian forces have been observed using specialized units to navigate narrow pipes, sometimes traveling up to 15 kilometers to bypass defensive lines. These soldiers establish machine-gun nests and improvised shelters within the pipelines, despite risks such as oxygen deprivation and chemical residues.
In response, Ukrainian forces have deployed small land-based robotic drones equipped with explosives to target Russian positions inside the pipes. The use of these tunnels allows for attempts at surprise attacks, though the environment is highly dangerous due to the confined spaces and the risk of shrapnel from close-quarters combat.
Entities
Avdiivka · Khartia Brigade · Kupiansk · Russia · Russia · Sudzha · The Wall Street Journal · Ukraine · Ukraine
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Russia is increasing strikes against Ukraine's critical infrastructure and economy. novini247.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Russian forces have used underground pipes to penetrate Ukrainian positions near Avdiivka. oruzjeonline.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Ukrainian 13th Brigade ‘Khartia’ is defending the Kupiansk direction. ohridsky.com · www.denik.cz
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Pipelines are typically protected by approximately one meter of soil and 1.27 centimeter thick steel plates. www.denik.cz
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Russian forces conducted a breakthrough through a gas pipeline near Sudzha in March 2025. oruzjeonline.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ukrainian forces are using small land-based robotic drones filled with C4 to target Russian positions in pipelines. ohridsky.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Both Russian and Ukrainian forces are using Soviet-era pipelines for movement and combat. ohridsky.com · oruzjeonline.com · www.denik.cz
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Ukrainian defense in Donetsk includes the ‘fortress belt’ of Slaviansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka, and Kostiantynivka. novini247.com