Ukraine's 'Veles' pipeline operation near Kupiansk 'eliminates' over 100 Russian troops, Zelensky says
Ukrainian forces have conducted a special operation code-named Veles in the Kupiansk direction, utilizing Soviet-era gas pipelines to advance more than 15 kilometers underground. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Khartiia Corps wiped out over 100 Russian troops and captured more than 30 enemy personnel during the offensive. Ukrainian troops adapted infiltration tactics previously used by Russian forces to block an infiltration route that had been active for more than a year.
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- ✓ Ukraine's Khartiia Corps conducted a special operation code-named Veles in the Kupiansk direction.
- ✓ The operation involved an underground advance of more than 15 kilometers through gas pipelines.
- ✓ President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the operation eliminated over 100 Russian troops.
- ✓ Ukrainian forces captured more than 30 Russian personnel during Operation Veles.
What changed
Ukrainian leadership publicly detailed the scope of Operation Veles, confirming the specific distance of the underground advance and casualty counts near Kupiansk.
Live updates
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Ukraine Reports Over 100 Russian Troops Killed in Pipeline Operation
Ukrainian forces have conducted a special operation code-named Veles in the Kupiansk direction, utilizing Soviet-era gas pipelines to advance more than 15 kilometers underground. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Khartiia Corps wiped out over 100 Russian troops and captured more than 30 enemy personnel during the offensive. Ukrainian troops adapted infiltration tactics previously used by Russian forces to block an infiltration route that had been active for more than a year.
Why it matters
The operation highlights a subterranean style of warfare playing out deep inside infrastructure networks in eastern Ukraine. By turning a tactic previously used by Russian forces against them, Kyiv's units achieved surprise in a contested sector of the front. The deployment demonstrates the evolving tactical methods utilized by Ukrainian forces as the broader conflict approaches its multi-year milestone.
What is confirmed
- Ukraine's Khartiia Corps conducted a special operation code-named Veles in the Kupiansk direction.
- The operation involved an underground advance of more than 15 kilometers through gas pipelines.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the operation eliminated over 100 Russian troops.
- Ukrainian forces captured more than 30 Russian personnel during Operation Veles.
What to watch next
- Visual or independent verification of the pipeline routes and captured positions near Kupiansk
- Further official disclosures from the Ukrainian military regarding the Khartiia Corps' operational status
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (16)
- kyivindependent.com — The Kyiv Independent — News from Ukraine, Eastern Europe
- www.bbc.com — Ukraine War | Latest News & Updates| BBC News
- newsukraine.rbc.ua — Ukraine News today - Latest news & Video | RBC-Ukraine
- en.wikipedia.org — Russo-Ukrainian war - Wikipedia
- en.wikipedia.org — Ukraine - Wikipedia
- liveuamap.com — Ukraine Interactive map - Ukraine Latest news on live map -...
- WSJ — The Subterranean Battle Playing Out Deep in Ukraine’s Soviet-Era Pipelines
- Reuters — Ukraine's Zelenskiy says territory recaptured, forces on the offensive
- Українська правда — Zelenskyy on Operation Veles: Ukrainian forces have successfully adapted underground advance tactics
- The Kyiv Independent — Ukraine's 'Veles' pipeline operation near Kupiansk 'eliminates' over 100 Russian troops, Zelensky says
- The Guardian — Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv retaking territory, Zelenskyy says, as Nordic leaders urge Putin to end the conflict
- kyivindependent.com — Ukraine war latest: Zelensky reveals details of 'Operation Veles'
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