Ukraine’s Khartiia Brigade says underground operation pushed 15 kilometers behind Russian lines near Kupiansk

Ukraine's Khartiia Brigade claims to have carried out a daring underground operation in the Kharkiv region, pushing their troops 15 kilometers behind Russian lines near Kupiansk. The operation, dubbed "Veles," aimed to break the positional deadlock on the Kupiansk front, according to a statement released by the brigade. Russian forces reportedly suffered significant losses, with about 100 troops killed and another 30 captured during the mission.

Brig. Gen. Ihor Obolensky, the Khartiia commander, explained that the Ukrainians meticulously studied enemy movements underground, realizing the Russians planned to infiltrate their rear through gas pipelines. In response, the Khartiia Brigade took the initiative, advancing underground to outmaneuver and outpace the enemy. Simultaneously, ground units struck Russian forces from two levels, leveraging drones from the Achilles Unmanned Systems Brigade for aerial support.

Notably, the underground operation transpired without GPS, reliable radio communications, or natural light. In preparation for the mission, Ukrainian soldiers underwent rigorous physical and psychological training to endure the confined and challenging conditions. Combat engineers, sappers, and the brigade's support battalion were responsible for preparing the underground route.

The operation was aptly named after Veles, a deity from Slavic mythology linked to the underworld, reflecting the brave and unconventional tactics employed by Ukrainian forces.