Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The pipeline was allegedly only one meter in diameter.
The Russian forces are unable to make any significant gains on the battlefield, and in April the Ukrainian defenders even managed to retak more than 116 km2 back.
That forces the Russian forces to try alternative ways to gain ground, and a big part of the current Russian tactics relies on infiltration operations using smaller groups to try and get behind the Ukrainian lines.
Recently a Russian assault group attempted to sneak behind the Ukrainian lines using a gas headline to advance while staying out of sight.
And how did it go? Wel …
A long journey underground
According to Ukrinform, the fighters traveled over 13 kilometers inside the metal tube.
Using entry points located in Russian territory, the forces built bypass tunnels and set up communication posts inside the pipe, which measured just one meter in diameter.
The exits opened near Ukrainian trenches on the Orikhiv axis.
But the plan held a terrifying secret for the men sent inside. Escape was impossible.
Cannon fodder
A video released by Ukraine’s 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade showed a captured Russian soldier explaining their grim reality.
The prisoner said, “It became clear that we were sent there as cannon fodder.” He realized everyone knew they could never turn back. “After each group entered, the pipe was welded shut,” he added.
Ukrainian troops knew the assault was coming, and they had long prepared the area near the exits, according to Ukrinform. Defenders simply scattered leaflets with surrender instructions.
The reports do not say if there were any casualties on any side when the Russian soldiers surrendered.
According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, this marks the fourth known pipeline infiltration attempt this year by the Russian forces.
Sources: Ukrinform, Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces, 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade, 71st Separate Airmobile Brigade, United24Media
