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Ukrainian soldiers trekked nine miles through underground gas pipelines to ambush Russian troops in Kupiansk, killing 100, Zelensky says

Volodymyr Zelensky, who described Operation Veles as Ukraine's third landmark mission of 2026, said soldiers emerged behind Russian lines after crawling through the pipelines to capture more than 30 prisoners.
Volodymyr Zelensky, who described Operation Veles as Ukraine's third landmark mission of 2026, said soldiers emerged behind Russian lines after crawling through the pipelines to capture more than 30 prisoners.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed Operation Veles, in which Ukrainian forces advanced more than 15 kilometres through narrow, muddy underground gas pipelines into Kupiansk to outflank Russian troops. The operation — Zelensky's self-described third landmark mission of 2026 — saw soldiers emerge behind Russian lines, eliminate 100 enemy troops and capture more than 30 prisoners. Zelensky said Ukraine had seized a tactic the Russians themselves had already been using against Ukrainian positions and "transformed it with extraordinary success."

Ukraine's military spokesman Viktor Trehubov confirmed that since Operation Veles denied Russia use of the pipeline route, no further infiltrations toward Kupiansk have been observed.

As Operation Veles unfolded underground, Ukraine launched fresh drones towards Moscow today while Russia struck Kharkiv — the same region where the pipeline ambush took place.

MoreUkrainska PravdaUkrainian forces report no further Russian infiltration into Kupiansk after Operation VelesReutersUkraine sends drones towards Moscow, Russia strikes Kharkiv, officials sayThe IndependentInside Ukraine’s underground mission trekking through miles of gas pipes to ambush Russian troops
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