Russian troops have allegedly used a gas pipeline for the third time to establish positions on the outskirts of a city held by Ukrainian forces — this time in Kupyansk, Kharkiv region, reports the Ukrainian open-source intelligence project DeepState.
Pro-Kremlin military bloggers also shared footage they say shows the operation.
To infiltrate Kupyansk, Russian forces “built an entire logistics artery,” DeepState analysts wrote. The pipeline entrances are located near Lyman Pershyi, and the journey to Kupyansk’s outskirts takes four days, they said. According to the analysts, troops use specially designed “wheel beds” and electric scooters in sections where the height allows:
“Thus, organized enemy groups reach Radkivka without serious losses, then move south into the forest they control. After that, they disperse in Kupyansk and make it to the railway.”
Ukraine’s General Staff has denied the claims, saying fighting is taking place around the city, not inside it.
DeepState and other outlets have previously reported that Russian troops used similar tactics to enter Sudzha in Russia’s Kursk region and Avdiivka in Donetsk region. Russian “war correspondents” later posted material they said confirmed those operations. Military blogger Yuriy Kotenok published video purportedly showing Russian troops moving inside a pipeline. The Rybar channel said the footage was filmed on September 3. The “Military Chronicle” Telegram channel added that the same units involved in Sudzha took part in the latest operation.
After the Kursk operation, Russian media reported soldiers suffered health problems consistent with exposure to toxic substances.
The city’s defensive operation continues, with Ukrainian troops eliminating and capturing enemy soldiers, the Ukrainian General Staff said.
“The situation in the city of Kupyansk is under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At the same time, the enemy continues attempts to mass on the northern outskirts of the city. There are several pipelines in the Kupyansk area. Three of the four lines have already been damaged and flooded, and the exit of the fourth is under Ukrainian control,” the statement reads.
The General Staff said counter-sabotage operations are underway in the city, with search-and-strike actions around it. Over the past two weeks, Russian losses totaled 395 personnel, including 288 killed.
On the approaches to Kupyansk, near the settlements of Radkivka and Golubivka, Ukrainian Forces eliminated 265 Russian troops and in the city area itself, another 128.
In addition, Russian personnel are being taken prisoner, bolstering the exchange pool and providing testimony that will be used against Russian forces.
