Russian desperate gas pipe infiltration tactics fail in Sumy Oblast

Six Russian soldiers once again tried to advance to Ukrainian positions, and all were eliminated. One of the main elements of the enemy's tactics is using the gas pipeline for a covert approach by small groups, dividing into several assault groups, parallel use of light mobile equipment, and attempts to use weather conditions for camouflage.

"The task is to enter and entrench themselves on Ukrainian territory," Lieutenant Colonel Oleksandr Lubenets, deputy chief of staff for combat management of the 71st Airmobile Brigade, explained to NV.

"Because they [the Russians] reported a long time ago that they were already there, but they are not."

So, Russian units try to infiltrate the rear of the Ukrainian Defense Forces' positions in the Northern Slobozhanskyi direction, using the gas pipeline as a route for the covert movement of infantry and light equipment — ATVs, motorcycles, and snowmobiles in winter — traversing many kilometers through the pipe.

"They climb in around the city of Sudzha [10 km from the Ukrainian border] and crawl through this pipe," Lubenets said.

"The journey from the entry point to the exit takes them about two weeks. Then they receive the command to assault. These groups crawl through almost daily."

Such attempts have been recorded at least since January 2026 and have a systemic character, according to the 71st Separate Airmobile Brigade of the 8th Corps in Ukrainian Air Assault Forces.

In a massive combined assault between the settlements of Andriivka and Oleksiivka in early January, Russian military personnel tried to enter in several groups. Some of them used the gas pipeline to approach positions. In parallel, the Russian military attacked on ATVs with infantry from different directions. The occupiers' losses then amounted to 42 dead, and 10 ATVs were also destroyed.

The enemy used this tactic again in early February: infantry was transported through the gas pipe, operating in four groups. Additionally, attempts to break through on snowmobiles were recorded. Russian losses — 24 dead, while another six were captured.

Thirty-two Russian soldiers tried to infiltrate the rear through the gas pipeline using difficult weather conditions in early April. The movement was detected by reconnaissance, UAVs, and artillery. All detected groups were destroyed.

Russians made another breakthrough attempt with a combined use of the gas pipeline and light equipment (ATVs and motorcycles) a week later.

Their losses — 35 dead and 17 wounded. The Ukrainian military also destroyed three motorcycles and four ATVs.

All recorded infiltration attempts were timely detected and thwarted by the reconnaissance forces, UAV crews, and artillery of the 71st Separate Airmobile Brigade in coordination with adjacent units. Despite significant losses, the enemy continues to use this tactic in the Sumy direction.