LONDON (AP) — Russian special forces are reportedly using an old gas pipeline to launch surprise attacks on Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region. This comes as new claims emerge from Moscow about capturing parts of the border area that Ukraine had previously taken in a bold offensive.
Back in August, Ukraine made a significant move by crossing into Kursk—marking the largest attack on Russian soil since World War II. Within just a few days, Ukrainian troops captured around 1,000 square kilometers (about 386 square miles) of territory, including the important border town of Sudzha, and they also took many Russian soldiers as prisoners.
The operation was not just about land; Ukraine aimed to create leverage for future peace talks and to draw Russian troops away from their ongoing assaults in eastern Ukraine.
However, months later, Ukrainian forces in Kursk are facing intense pressure from over 50,000 Russian soldiers, including some from North Korea. Situations on the battlefield show many Ukrainian soldiers risk encirclement.
According to pro-Kremlin sources, Russian operatives entered the pipeline approximately 15 kilometers (9 miles) deep. They spent days inside before launching an attack near Sudzha. This town, once home to around 5,000 people, is critical due to its gas transfer stations that were important for Russian gas exports to Europe.
Fierce battles are ongoing for Sudzha, with claims that Russian forces infiltrated the town through the pipeline. Photos on Russian social media showed special forces operatives wearing gas masks inside the pipe.
Ukraine’s military confirmed that Russian “sabotage and assault groups” were trying to make advances. They stated that these troops were spotted early on, and Ukraine responded with rocket and artillery fire, claiming heavy losses for Russian forces.
However, a Russian war blogger noted that the attacking units seemed poorly equipped for sustained operations, lacking necessary supplies like food and ammunition. He described the situation as disastrous for troops operating alone without support.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed they had taken four villages near Sudzha, with the nearest located about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from the town center. Ukraine has not publicly addressed these claims.
In other news, former President Donald Trump expressed uncertainty about Ukraine’s future, suggesting it “may not survive” if American support does not continue. This comes as he remains hesitant to provide military aid unless Ukraine engages in peace negotiations.
Meanwhile, France announced a new aid package worth 195 million euros ($211 million) for Ukraine, funded by frozen Russian assets. This support includes artillery shells and glide bombs for the Mirage 2000 fighter jets previously sent to Ukraine.
On another front, there were reports of Ukrainian drones targeting oil infrastructure in central and southern Russia. One drone reportedly hit an oil depot in Cheboksary, though no injuries were reported. There were also claims of explosions near a major oil refinery in Ryazan.
Concerns over Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite service sparked a lively exchange on social media. Polish officials warned about finding alternatives if Starlink proved unreliable, to which Musk responded sharply. U.S. officials defended the satellite service’s importance, emphasizing that it has been vital for Ukraine’s communication and strategy.
Overall, the situation remains tense as battles continue, and both military and political developments unfold.
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Source linkMarco Rubio, Radek Sikorski, Ukraine, Donald Trump, Poland, Kyiv, Europe, Russia, General news, War and unrest, Russia government, Russia-Ukraine war, Russia Ukraine war, Yuri Podolyaka, Andrzej Duda, Sbastien Lecornu, World news, Ukraine government, Telegram, Oleg Nikolaev, Pavel Malkov, Elon Musk
