KYIV, Ukraine — Russian special forces reportedly infiltrated a gas pipeline to strike Ukrainian units in the Kursk region, as Moscow aims to reclaim parts of the border province that Ukraine captured in a surprise offensive.
In August, Ukraine launched a daring cross-border incursion into Kursk, marking the largest attack on Russian territory since World War II. Within days, Ukrainian forces seized 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles) of land, including the strategic border town of Sudzha, and captured hundreds of Russian prisoners. Ukraine’s operation aimed to gain leverage for future peace talks and force Russia to divert troops from its ongoing offensive in eastern Ukraine.
However, months after Ukraine’s successful initial strike, Ukrainian troops in Kursk are now worn down and under constant pressure, facing attacks from over 50,000 Russian soldiers, including forces from Russia’s ally North Korea. According to open-source maps, tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are at risk of being encircled.
A pro-Kremlin blogger, Yuri Podolyaka, claimed on Telegram that Russian operatives infiltrated a gas pipeline, which Moscow had previously used to transport gas to Europe. These troops allegedly spent days inside the pipeline, about 15 kilometers (9 miles) in, before launching an attack on Ukrainian units near Sudzha.
Sudha, home to around 5,000 residents before Russia’s invasion, hosts major gas transfer and measuring stations along the pipeline, once a key route for Russian natural gas exports. Another war blogger, known as Two Majors, reported intense fighting for control of Sudzha and suggested that Russian special forces entered the town through the pipeline, as photos surfaced of operatives wearing gas masks inside a large pipe.
Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed that Russian “sabotage and assault groups” had used the pipeline to gain a foothold outside Sudzha. The Ukrainian military reported that the special forces were detected and blocked, with Ukrainian forces responding with rockets and artillery. “At present, Russian special forces are being detected, blocked, and destroyed. The enemy’s losses in Sudzha are very high,” the General Staff reported.
However, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that its forces had taken the village of Lebedevka, located about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) northwest of Sudzha, and inflicted defeats on Ukrainian units near the town. Ukraine has not yet responded to these claims.
France Announces New Aid Package for Ukraine
In a separate development, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that France would use profits from frozen Russian assets to finance a new 195 million euro ($211 million) military aid package for Ukraine. This package includes new 155 mm artillery shells and glide bombs for the Mirage 2000 fighter jets France previously provided to Ukraine.
The announcement sparked a strong reaction from Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of Russia’s parliament, who warned that France would “answer for its actions” and eventually be required to return what he described as “stolen” funds.
Ukrainian Drones Target Russian Oil Infrastructure
In other news, Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted Russian oil infrastructure in southern and central Russia overnight into Sunday. One drone struck an oil depot in Cheboksary, a city located about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from the Ukrainian border. The local governor reported no casualties, but the depot required significant repairs.
Further footage circulated on Russian Telegram channels showing what appeared to be a fire near one of Russia’s largest oil refineries in the southern city of Ryazan. Local authorities claimed that Ukrainian drones had been shot down nearby, but there were no reported casualties or significant damage. Ukraine did not immediately comment on either of these incidents.
