Russian forces are preparing a new assault tactic on the southern front, training troops to move through gas pipelines in an apparent attempt to replicate earlier battlefield maneuvers used in eastern Ukraine, according to Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesperson for Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces, in a comment for RBC-Ukraine on April 1.
Russian units are actively rehearsing pipeline infiltration on occupied territory, with a focus on the Orikhiv direction.
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“Russian troops are training to move through gas pipelines and even transfer logistics along them,” Voloshyn said in comments published April 1. “They have built a mock-up pipe system with different elements and are practicing movement inside it.”
Voloshyn warned that the approach is not new.
“They are preparing to repeat what they already did in Kupiansk and Avdiivka,” he said, referring to previous attempts by Russian forces to use underground or concealed routes to approach Ukrainian positions.
The presence of gas pipeline infrastructure near Orikhiv could make the tactic viable in this sector, potentially allowing assault groups to bypass exposed terrain and reduce vulnerability to Ukrainian fire.
The training activity also points to a possible escalation in Russian operations along the Orikhiv axis.
According to Voloshyn, Russian forces are attempting to move troops from staging areas closer to forward positions near the town, located between the settlements of Mali Shcherbaky and Mala Tokmachka.
🇷🇺‼️🇺🇦“Pipe 3.0”: Russians cross the Oskil through a gas pipeline and enter Kupyansk, — Deep State
— Visioner (@visionergeo) September 12, 2025
Russian soldiers have built an entire logistical artery. The entrances to the pipe are located in the area of Pervyi Lyman. Specially designed wheeled beds and electric scooters… pic.twitter.com/iysexYj1mU
“One of their key objectives is to get as close as possible to Orikhiv, enter the town, and try to establish positions on its outskirts,” he said.
Ukrainian forces are actively working to counter these efforts.
“To prevent these actions and protect our positions, we are not allowing them to move these assault groups to the front line,” Voloshyn said.
❗️🇺🇦Ukrainian servicemen from the "Achilles" Regiment show how they destroyed a pipe that the enemy was using to infiltrate their personnel into the northern outskirts of Kupiansk.
— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) December 13, 2025
Three tons of explosives were used to strike the pipe. pic.twitter.com/foNI7Pcoi6
He added that the Orikhiv direction is currently experiencing some of the highest levels of combat intensity on the front, with heavy fire activity reported from both sides.
Earlier, Russian forces once again attempted to advance into Ukraine’s Sumy region by moving through a gas pipeline near the village of Yablunivka.
A group of 22 Russian infantry troops walked into an ambush set by units of the 71st Separate Airmobile Brigade, which had prior intelligence about the attempted advance.
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-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")