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Witnessing the Unconventional Battlefield: Operation "Pipe" Unfolded
March 13, the Russian Ministry of Defense declared the recapture of Sudzha in the Kursk region from Ukrainian forces, showcasing a new chapter in this ongoing conflict. This victory was prompted by Operation "Flow," a daring strategy that saw over a hundred Russian soldiers infiltrating enemy territory via an abandoned gas pipeline.
First-hand accounts revealed that the Urengoy - Pomary - Uzhgorod pipeline, shut down since January 1, 2025, became the unlikely battleground for this operation. As a thick veil of secrecy surrounded the operation, footage emerged online showcasing men in apparent military uniforms crawling through the dimly lit, cramped pipeline.
Sources claimed that the operation lasted approximately six grueling days, with the soldiers enduring frigid temperatures and restrained living conditions despite the presence of sleeping bags. As morale was an essential factor, comrades shared jokes and recited poetry to boost each other's spirits.
Operation "Flow" was no small undertaking, involving fighters from the DSHBR "Veterans," the "East" brigade, the 30th regiment, the motorized rifle regiment, and the 11th Airborne Brigade, as well as the "Aida" group of the "Akhmat" special forces. One of the participants humorously remarked, "Our grandfathers had the Kursk Bulge, and we have the Kursk Pipe."
Underground Odyssey: How the Russian Forces Traversed the Pipeline
The audacious operation required considerable planning, with approximately 1000 people involved in its preparation. Around 800 soldiers directly participated in the arduous journey, negotiating the 1.4-meter diameter steel pipeline. The lack of food and water, cold conditions, and the mental toll of confinement posed significant challenges.
"We expected a quick in and out... But the reality was different," Bear, a participant from the "Aida" group, recalled. Their determination to persevere kept them going. "We understood that there was only one way out; if something went wrong, that was it."
Preparation was key, with fighters intentionally abstaining from food or drink during their journey. sleep was sporadic, limited to semi-sitting positions, and uncomfortable due to the chilling temperatures.
The Distraction: Outflanking Ukrainian Defenses
While the Russian forces traveled through the main pipeline, another decisive aspect of the operation was the maneuver along the "tube," the central street in the village of Cherkaskoe Porichne near Sudzha.
This street, under Ukrainian control, was heavily mined, serving as a distraction to draw the enemy's fire while Russian troops infiltrated their rear. Akhmat assault fighter Abrek recalled his role in the operation, "I was 90% sure we could do it. A Russian fighter doesn't care where or how he survives, as long as he keeps moving forward."
Ukrainian forces were caught off guard, and many fled the area. Those who surrendered were promised fair treatment and future exchange. In the end, Operation "Flow" was a turning point in the Kursk region, highlighting the evolving nature of this complex conflict.
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Read also:
In Scored Battles: The Tale of Sudzha's Liberation and the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Undoing
The Putin-Zelenskyy Dialogue: Decoding the Aftermath of Operation "Flow"
The Dark Heroes and Monstrous Minors: Uncovering the Brutality of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
Ukraine Strikes "Friendship": The Consequences of Dispute and the West's Response
- The unexpected battleground for Operation "Flow" was the Urengoy - Pomary - Uzhgorod pipeline, which was shut down on January 1, 2025.
- Men in military uniforms were seen crawling through the pipeline during the operation, adding to the veil of secrecy surrounding it.
- Amidst the challenge of the operation, soldiers found ways to boost morale, sharing jokes and poetry while navigating the cramped pipeline.
- Operation "Flow" involved fighters from various units such as the DSHBR "Veterans," the "East" brigade, the 30th regiment, the motorized rifle regiment, the 11th Airborne Brigade, and the "Aida" group of the "Akhmat" special forces.
- The operation, which lasted approximately six grueling days, required careful planning and preparation, with around 800 soldiers navigating the 1.4-meter diameter steel pipeline.
