Russian Raiders Crawled For Miles Through Gas Pipeline To Attack Ukrainians In Kursk

Details have emerged of an extraordinary mission launched by Russian soldiers in the Kursk region, during which they penetrated deep into Ukrainian-held territory via a gas pipeline. The soldiers — reportedly around 100 in total — were apparently tasked with an assault on Sudzha, a critical Ukrainian-held town in the region. Although the results of the raid are unclear at this stage, it further underscores the huge challenge that Ukraine faces if it’s to retain a foothold in this area of western Russia.

A detailed description of the Russian mission, which took place on March 8, was provided in the Ukrainian media by journalist Yurii Butusov, whose original source was a member of a Ukrainian unit operating in the Kursk region.

Multiple photos and videos purportedly documenting the operation have also been published by Russian military social media accounts, including showing soldiers wearing breathing gear and moving down the pipeline that is only around 4.5 feet wide. Reportedly, the raiders spent four days crawling through the pipeline, which is roughly nine miles long. Unconfirmed reports suggest that some of the soldiers may have suffocated while in the pipeline. However, at least some made it out.

According to Butusov’s source: “The enemy used a gas pipeline and came out in area N [the precise location is concealed for security purposes]… It was not a surprise, as we knew about this action. But the focus had been shifted to Kurilovka [a village south of Sudzha] a few days ago.”

Another account suggests that the Russians did achieve some element of surprise, with the use of the pipeline ensuring that these forces could be moved without being detected by Ukrainian surveillance drones. The same source notes that Russian preparations for the mission included airstrikes in the vicinity of the area, something that took place over several days.

The exact pipeline used by the Russian soldiers is not entirely clear, although all signs point to it being part of the Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhhorod gas pipeline. Also known as the Brotherhood pipeline, or West-Siberian Pipeline, this was previously used to transport Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine. Partially owned and operated by Ukraine, it has been out of use since the end of 2024.

An infographic showing Russian gas supplies to Europe via Ukraine as of August 2024, including the location of Sudzha in the Kursk region. Photo by Murat Usubali/Anadolu via Getty Images Anadolu

Regardless, some of the Russian soldiers emerged from the pipeline before attempting to reach Ukrainian positions near Sudzha, a small town around 65 miles southwest of the city of Kursk. Sudzha has been occupied by Ukrainian forces since mid-August 2024 after they launched an incursion into the region.

What happened to the Russian soldiers after they arrived in Sudzha is also unclear at this stage. One report suggests that “efforts are underway to eliminate the infiltrators,” while surveillance of the pipeline has now been stepped up to avoid a repeat of the raid.

The Ukrainian General Staff released footage purportedly showing Ukrainian troops engaging some of the Russian assault troops after they emerged from the tunnel, shown below:

It’s certainly possible that at least some elements of the Russian assault company linked up with other troops already on the ground in the Sudzha area. After all, Russian forces achieved a breakthrough of the Ukrainian defensive line south of the town in recent days.

The area is now a focus of fighting, as the Ukrainian Armed Forces try and hold the Russians back to avoid an encirclement and the cutting off of vital supply routes.

Ukrainian troops install defenses across a key route within the Sumy region to protect against a potential Russian counterassault out of the Kursk region on the other side of the border. Photo by Serhiy Morgunov/for The Washington Post Serhiy Morgunov

“Russian special forces are being detected, blocked, and destroyed. Enemy losses in the Sudzha area are very heavy,” Ukraine’s military claimed.

The current situation has been developing for some time now, with the Russians increasing their focus on Sudzha. Even before the end of last year, Russian troops had entered the village of Kurilovka, south of Sudzha, and forced a Ukrainian brigade to give up its positions.

“After that, the enemy built up its forces and systematically launched assault operations,” a Ukrainian military source told Ukrainska Pravda on March 7. “Yesterday and the day before [6 and 5 March], they made a breakthrough.”

Some of the key locations in the current fighting for Sudzha. Google Earth

In particular, it seems Russian forces are aiming to take control of the road running between Sumy, Yunakivka, and Sudzha, which provides the Ukrainians with a critical access route into the Kursk region.

A string of other villages to the north of Sudzha have already been recaptured, including Staraya, Novaya Sorochina, and Malaya Loknya, as well as other small settlements to the immediate east of the town.

Overall, the situation for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk region is becoming increasingly precarious.

Ukrainian reports state that the Russians are “carrying out massive attacks along the entire front of the Kursk sanitary zone … and are assaulting relentlessly.”

As well as having significantly more firepower — especially artillery — the Russians are backed up by North Korean troops, bolstering what is already a significant numerical advantage.

This Russian military ID was found on a North Korean soldier in the Kursk region and presented by soldiers from the Ukrainian 8th Special Operations Forces Regiment, 1st Battalion. Photo by Ed Ram/for The Washington Post via Getty Images The Washington Post

Russia’s ex-president, Dmitry Medevdev, recently claimed that Ukrainian forces in Kursk were almost surrounded and would soon be driven out. “The lid of the smoking cauldron is almost closed. The offensive continues,” he posted on Telegram.

Holding territory in Kursk over the long term was always going to be a huge challenge for Ukraine.

Even with adequate supplies of ammunition, the flanks of the so-called “sanitary zone” are being repeatedly attacked by Russian ground forces and airpower. Meanwhile, the front of the zone has narrowed, making it more difficult to hold.

At the same time, the United States has now hit pause on military support for Ukraine, as well as access to intelligence and satellite feeds.

There are now increasing calls from Ukrainian analysts to withdraw entirely from Kursk, with the tables now apparently firmly tilted in the Russians’ favor.

Ukrainian tank crew at a fallback position in the Sumy region, Ukraine, last December. The troops from the 95th Air Assault Brigade were preparing for orders to return to the Kursk region. Photo by Serhiy Morgunov/for The Washington Post Serhiy Morgunov

On the other hand, the political importance of Ukraine having a foothold in Russia shouldn’t be discounted. Indeed, with critical talks between Ukraine and the United States due to being in Saudi Arabia this week, holding onto what is a key bargaining chip is perhaps now more important than ever for Kyiv.

It’s expected that the talks will see Ukraine propose a peace plan that will include an end to aerial drone and missile strikes, together with a suspension of military activity in the Black Sea.

The pipeline raid highlights the importance to Russia of recapturing this territory. Less clear is how long Ukraine can hold out as losses mount and the tide of public opinion threatens to turn against what was, at the start, a notably bold operation but one that now is becoming increasingly perilous for the forces that Kyiv has committed there.

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