Russian forces are increasingly using underground pipes to infiltrate Ukrainian battle lines, particularly around Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region. This tactic, employed at least three times since the war began, involves crawling through gas and water pipes to avoid detection. Ukraine is responding by flooding or fortifying these pipelines. Recent reports show Ukrainian forces successfully flooding one pipe near Kupiansk and laying barbed wire in others. While Russia claims some successes with this tactic, Ukraine asserts it has effectively countered these attempts in multiple instances.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.