Russian special forces reportedly used a gas pipeline to stage a surprise attack on Ukrainian positions in the Kursk region, according to Ukraine’s military and Russian war correspondents. Meanwhile, Moscow has claimed fresh territorial gains as it seeks to reclaim areas of the border province that Kyiv seized in an earlier unprecedented offensive.
Ukraine’s August incursion into Kursk represented the largest attack on Russian soil since World War II, resulting in the capture of 1,000 square kilometres, including Sudzha town, and numerous Russian prisoners.
Kyiv’s strategic objectives included securing leverage for future negotiations and forcing Russian troop redeployment from eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian forces in Kursk now face exhaustion and casualties from continuous attacks by over 50,000 troops, including North Korean contingents. Intelligence suggests Ukrainian forces risk encirclement, based on current battlefield maps.
A pro-Kremlin blogger reported on Saturday that Russian operatives traversed approximately 15 kilometres inside the pipeline, previously used for European gas exports. “Two Majors”, another war correspondent, confirmed intense fighting around Sudzha, with Russian forces entering via the pipeline. Russian social media displayed images purportedly showing special forces in gas masks inside a large pipe.
Ukraine’s General Staff acknowledged Russian “sabotage and assault groups” attempted to establish positions near Sudzha using the pipeline. They reported intercepting and engaging the Russian forces with artillery, claiming significant enemy casualties, the Associated Press reported.
A Russian military blogger using the call sign “Thirteenth” criticised the operation’s logistics, citing concerns about basic supplies and support.
The Russian Defence Ministry announced the capture of four villages near Sudzha on Sunday, following three previous captures. Ukraine has not responded to these claims.
“Well, it may not survive anyway,” Trump stated regarding Ukraine’s future without American support, during a Fox News Channel interview.
French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced additional military aid worth 195 million euros for Ukraine, funded by frozen Russian assets, including artillery shells and aircraft munitions.
Russian officials reported Ukrainian drone strikes on oil facilities in central and southern Russia early Sunday. An oil depot in Cheboksary sustained damage, whilst claims of attacks near a Ryazan refinery resulted in no reported casualties or damage, according to local authorities.
