Ukrainian troops infiltrate Russian rear via gas pipelines near Kupiansk, capture over 30 soldiers

Operation 'Veles' involved a 15-kilometer underground advance, combining with drone strikes above ground

By LineZotpaper

Published22 October 2026

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Ukrainian forces infiltrated the rear of Russian positions near Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast by moving about 15 kilometers through underground gas pipelines, capturing more than 30 Russian soldiers and inflicting over 100 casualties, according to Ukraine's National Guard's 2nd Khartiia Corps on Oct. 22.

The operation, code-named "Veles," was carried out by the 2nd Khartiia Corps together with other Ukrainian units, the corps said. Khartiia commander Brig. Gen. Ihor Obolienskyi said Ukrainian forces had studied how Russian troops were using underground routes and anticipated they would try to exploit major gas pipelines running through Kharkiv Oblast.

"The Russians intended to use the gas routes to penetrate the rear of our forces. So we went underground ourselves," Obolienskyi said.

According to Khartiia, Ukrainian troops moved through the pipelines before combining the underground advance with operations above ground, including drone strikes. The corps said more than 30 Russian soldiers were captured during the operation and that Russian forces suffered more than 100 casualties. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify those figures.

Obolienskyi said the aim was both to stop Russian troops underground and to undermine tactics they had been using on the ground and from the air.

"We anticipated the enemy's actions and mastered the tactics of conducting combat operations underground," he said.

Russian forces have used gas pipelines on several occasions to move troops covertly around the Kupiansk sector. In January, Ukrainian troops said they had stopped a Russian assault involving about 50 soldiers attempting to advance through the Soyuz gas pipeline.

More recently, Khartiia said, Russian troops retreating near Kupiansk used civilians as human shields, leading a group that included children and elderly people to the Shebelinka–Ostrogozhsk pipeline and forcing them inside the pipe toward Russian-held territory. Ukrainian troops said they did not open fire because civilians were present.

"When the battlefield became transparent, the war went underground," the corps said when it first announced the operation on Oct. 21.

Analysis

Why This Matters

This operation shows how the war in Ukraine is adapting to the increasingly transparent above-ground battlefield, with both sides turning to subterranean tactics.
The capture of more than 30 Russian soldiers could provide intelligence and bargaining chips, though the figures are unverified.
The incident also highlights the ongoing threat to civilians, as Russian troops reportedly used them as human shields during a retreat, raising humanitarian concerns.

Background

The Kupiansk sector in Kharkiv Oblast has seen intense fighting as Russian forces have repeatedly tried to advance. Gas pipelines in the region have become a known route for covert movement, as they offer cover from drone surveillance and direct fire. The Ukrainian operation marks a notable reversal, using the same tactic that Russian troops had previously employed.

Key Perspectives

Ukraine (Khartiia Corps): Claims a successful infiltration, capturing dozens of prisoners and causing heavy Russian casualties, while also preempting Russian underground assaults. Russia (implicit): The report does not include Russian comments; their side would likely deny the claims or present the operation as a limited tactical setback. Critics/Skeptics: The Kyiv Independent notes that the figures could not be independently verified, and the long-term impact of such an operation on the front line remains unclear.

What to Watch

Whether Ukraine releases additional evidence, such as footage or prisoner interviews, to corroborate the claimed numbers.
Any Russian military response or propaganda counter-narrative in the coming days.
Signs of similar underground operations escalating in other sectors of the front.

Sources

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

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe 2nd Khartiia Corps said Ukrainian troops infiltrated the Russian rear near Kupiansk on Oct. 22.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.”
SupportedThe underground advance covered about 15 kilometers through gas pipelines.Kyiv Independent: “after moving about 15 kilometers (9 miles) through underground gas pipelines”
SupportedMore than 30 Russian soldiers were captured during the operation, according to the corps.Kyiv Independent: “The corps said more than 30 Russian soldiers were captured during the operation”
SupportedThe corps said Russian forces suffered more than 100 casualties.Kyiv Independent: “and that Russian forces suffered more than 100 casualties.”
SupportedThe Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the figures.Kyiv Independent: “The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify those figures.”
SupportedThe operation was code-named “Veles” and was carried out by the 2nd Khartiia Corps with other Ukrainian units.Kyiv Independent: “The operation, code-named "Veles," was carried out by the 2nd Khartiia Corps together with other Ukrainian units, according to the corps.”
SupportedThe underground advance was combined with above-ground operations, including drone strikes.Kyiv Independent: “According to Khartiia, Ukrainian troops moved through the pipelines before combining the underground advance with operations above ground, including drone strikes.”
SupportedObolienskyi said, “The Russians intended to use the gas routes to penetrate the rear of our forces. So we went underground ourselves.”Kyiv Independent: “"The Russians intended to use the gas routes to penetrate the rear of our forces. So we went underground ourselves," Obolienskyi said.”
SupportedObolienskyi said, “We anticipated the enemy's actions and mastered the tactics of conducting combat operations underground.”Kyiv Independent: “"We anticipated the enemy's actions and mastered the tactics of conducting combat operations underground," he said.”
SupportedThe corps said Russian troops retreating near Kupiansk used civilians as human shields and forced a group including children and elderly people into a pipeline toward Russian-held territory.Kyiv Independent: “More recently, Khartiia said, Russian troops retreating near Kupiansk used civilians as human shields , leading a group that included children and elderly people to the Shebelinka–Ostrogozhsk pipeline and forcing them inside the pipe toward Russian-held territory.”
SupportedUkrainian troops said they did not open fire because civilians were present.Kyiv Independent: “Ukrainian troops said they did not open fire, because civilians were present”
SupportedThe corps said, “When the battlefield became transparent, the war went underground,” when it first announced the operation on Oct. 21.Kyiv Independent: “"When the battlefield became transparent, the war went underground," the corps said when it first announced the operation on Oct. 21.”