A Russian military correspondent has reported a startling development in the ongoing conflict along the Russia-Ukraine border: Russian troops recently attempted to infiltrate Ukrainian positions near Sudzha in Russia’s Kursk region by using the pipes of a gas pipeline. According to the correspondent, the operation failed due to unspecified organizational issues, leaving the details shrouded in mystery.
Russian troops use old gas pipeline to reach Ukrainian lines
Video screenshot
A video has since surfaced online, purportedly capturing this unusual maneuver by Russian forces, though its authenticity remains unverified. The claim, if true, underscores the unconventional tactics emerging in this protracted war, now well into its third year, as both sides grapple for control in a strategically vital area.
The gas pipeline in question is almost certainly the Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod pipeline, a Soviet-era infrastructure project that once served as a critical artery for Russian natural gas exports to Europe. Stretching from Siberia through Russia’s Kursk region and into Ukraine, it passes through Sudzha, a border town that has become a focal point in the conflict.
Historically, this pipeline was a cornerstone of Moscow’s energy dominance in Europe, channeling vast quantities of gas westward and generating billions in revenue. Even after Russia’s full-scale military operation in Ukraine began in February 2022, the pipeline continued to operate under a transit agreement between Moscow and Kyiv, a rare point of cooperation amid the chaos.
That agreement, however, expired on December 31, 2024, and Ukraine declined to renew it, effectively halting the flow of Russian gas through its territory as of January 1, 2025. Kyiv’s decision was driven by a mix of strategic and political motives, including a desire to deprive Russia of revenue and to align more closely with Western efforts to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian energy. The shutdown marked a significant shift, leaving the pipeline dormant—a silent relic of a bygone era now repurposed, it seems, as a potential tool of war.
The situation in Kursk, where this pipeline incident reportedly occurred, has been volatile since August 2024, when Ukrainian forces launched a bold incursion into Russian territory. The operation, which began with a surprise assault involving tanks, armored vehicles, and as many as 10,000 troops, caught Russian defenses off guard.
Russian Pro-Kremlin war correspondent writes about the recent attempt of Russian troops to infiltrate Ukrainian positions in the area of Sudzha, Russia's Kursk region, via a gas pipeline.
According to him, it didn’t go well, at least when it comes to organization. pic.twitter.com/vcBbIIvOm6
— Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) March 8, 2025
It was widely seen as a response to Russia’s earlier offensive in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region in May 2024, as well as a bid to disrupt Moscow’s plans for a possible attack on Ukraine’s Sumy region, just across the border from Kursk. By mid-August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed his forces had seized control of Sudzha and established a military command office there, signaling an intent to hold the territory.
At its peak, Ukraine controlled roughly 1,200 square kilometers of the Kursk region, including 93 settlements, according to Kyiv’s military command. Since then, however, Russian forces have mounted a determined counteroffensive, reclaiming approximately 40 percent of the lost territory by early 2025. As of now, Ukraine holds about 585 square kilometers, with fierce fighting continuing around key points like Sudzha.
Russian reinforcements, including North Korean troops reportedly deployed in late 2024, have bolstered Moscow’s efforts, though both sides have suffered heavy casualties—Ukraine claims 15,000 Russian troops were killed in Kursk alone, while Russia asserts Ukrainian losses exceed 49,000.
The dynamics of this conflict may soon grow even more challenging for Ukraine, particularly in light of recent developments in Washington. In early March 2025, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump announced a temporary suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, a move that stunned observers and raised questions about America’s long-term commitment to Kyiv.
The decision came shortly after a tense Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zelensky, where the two leaders clashed over the path to peace. Trump, who took office in January 2025, has emphasized a desire to broker an end to the war, framing the pause in aid as a review to ensure it aligns with that goal. “We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution,” a White House official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
For Ukraine, which has relied heavily on U.S. weapons and intelligence to counter Russian advances, this shift could strain its ability to hold positions in Kursk and elsewhere. The timing is particularly precarious, as Russian forces have intensified attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, including a major missile strike on March 7, 2025, that damaged energy and gas facilities—the first significant assault since the U.S. aid suspension began.
Amid these pressures, Zelensky has suggested that the territory Ukraine still controls in Kursk could serve a broader purpose beyond the battlefield. In a podcast interview with Lex Fridman in early January 2025, he hinted that these gains might become a bargaining chip in future negotiations with Russia. “The Kursk operation has established a buffer zone,” he said, arguing that it prevents Russian forces from massing for attacks on eastern Ukraine while offering Kyiv leverage in any peace talks.
The idea is not new—since the incursion began, Ukrainian officials have floated the notion of using captured Russian land to strengthen their hand at the negotiating table. Andriy Yermak, head of Zelensky’s office, echoed this sentiment in January, stating, “Russia is getting what it deserves,” and suggesting the operation’s success could shape the terms of a settlement.
With Russian President Vladimir Putin maintaining his demand for control over four Ukrainian regions annexed in 2022—none of which Moscow fully occupies—Zelensky’s strategy hinges on the belief that holding Kursk could force concessions, especially if U.S. support wanes.
The reported attempt by Russian troops to use gas pipeline pipes to infiltrate Ukrainian lines near Sudzha adds a layer of complexity to this already intricate conflict. If the video circulating online is authentic, it depicts a creative, if failed, effort to exploit the region’s infrastructure—a tactic that speaks to the desperation and ingenuity both sides have displayed as the war grinds on.
The pipeline, once a symbol of economic interdependence, has now been drawn into the military sphere, its hollow tubes repurposed as potential conduits for soldiers rather than gas. The Russian correspondent’s vague reference to “organizational reasons” for the operation’s failure leaves room for speculation: Was it a lack of coordination, poor planning, or resistance from Ukrainian forces that thwarted the effort? Without further details, the incident remains an enigmatic footnote in a war defined by unexpected turns.
What this episode reveals, however, goes beyond battlefield improvisation. It underscores the enduring stakes of the Kursk region, where control of territory, infrastructure, and narrative continues to shift. For Ukraine, holding Sudzha and its surroundings is both a tactical necessity and a political statement, a way to demonstrate resilience as external support falters.
For Russia, reclaiming the area is a matter of national pride and security, a test of its ability to reverse a rare incursion onto its soil. The involvement of the pipeline, even in this unconventional way, also highlights the lingering significance of energy in this conflict—whether as a weapon, a resource, or, now, a pathway for troops.
As the war approaches its 1,105th day, the failed pipeline operation may prove to be a minor skirmish in a much larger struggle. Yet it carries a deeper implication: this conflict, already marked by its unpredictability, may stretch beyond the timelines envisioned by either side.
Russia’s steady advances in eastern Ukraine, coupled with Ukraine’s determination to retain its foothold in Kursk, suggest a stalemate that neither military might nor diplomatic overtures have yet resolved. The suspension of U.S. aid introduces further uncertainty, potentially tilting the balance toward Moscow if Kyiv cannot adapt.
Zelensky’s vision of using Kursk as leverage assumes a negotiation process that remains elusive, with Putin showing little inclination to compromise. In this context, the image of Russian soldiers crawling through a defunct gas pipeline—whether real or rumored—serves as a stark reminder that this war’s end is not yet in sight, and its next chapter may defy all expectations.
2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
In late February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, escalating a conflict that had simmered since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The initial assault targeted major Ukrainian cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Mariupol, with the Russian forces aiming for a quick victory.
However, the Ukrainian military and civilian resistance proved unexpectedly resilient, leading to prolonged urban and trench warfare. International sanctions were swiftly imposed on Russia, and NATO countries increased military support to Ukraine, significantly altering the dynamics of the conflict.
Throughout 2022 and into 2023, the war saw fluctuating front lines, with Ukraine managing to reclaim significant territories during counteroffensives in Kharkiv and Kherson. The human cost was staggering, with tens of thousands of casualties on both sides and millions displaced.
The destruction of infrastructure led to humanitarian crises, with shortages of food, water, and electricity in various regions. Global attention remained high, with numerous diplomatic efforts attempting to broker peace, yet none yielding substantial results.
By mid-2024, the conflict had transformed into a war of attrition, with both sides suffering from military fatigue and economic strain. The international community’s response varied, with some advocating for continued support to Ukraine to maintain its sovereignty, while others pushed for negotiations to end the bloodshed.
The war’s impact was felt worldwide through energy market disruptions, increased food prices, and shifts in global alliances. Despite the ongoing violence, cultural resistance in Ukraine grew stronger, with art, music, and literature becoming powerful symbols of defiance and national identity.
As of early 2025, the situation remains tense with no clear end in sight. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have adapted to a new normal of sporadic but intense clashes, with significant areas of eastern and southern Ukraine still under dispute.
Humanitarian aid continues to pour in, though the effectiveness of these efforts is hampered by the ongoing hostilities. The war has become a defining issue of the early 21st century, highlighting the complexities of modern warfare, international law, and the resilience of the human spirit amidst adversity.
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