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Russian forces 'infiltrate Ukraine via pipe' in Kupiansk, bloggers say

Russian forces have reportedly used a gas pipeline to infiltrate behind Ukrainian lines for the third time since the full-scale invasion began, this time near Kupiansk, according to reports by the news outlet Meduza-Live, citing Ukrainian bloggers.

The OSINT project DeepState, which is affiliated with the Ukrainian General Staff, was the first to report on the tactic. According to Ukrainian analysts, Russian forces advancing in the Kharkiv region crossed the Oskil River through a gas pipeline to reach Kupiansk. Similar tactics were previously used by the Russian army in Avdiivka, in the Donetsk region, and in Sudzha, in the Kursk region.

DeepState claims that Russian forces have built a logistical artery in the Kupiansk area. "The entrances to the pipeline are located near the village of Lyman Pershyi. Special wheeled stretchers are used for movement inside, and where the height allows, even electric scooters," the source notes.

The journey through the pipeline to the outskirts of Kupiansk takes approximately four days, which is why resting places and supply depots were set up along the way, the project states. In this way, organised enemy groups can reach Radkivka with minimal losses, then move south into a forest under Russian control. From there, they disperse throughout Kupiansk to reach the railway.

Following the DeepState report, details about the new 'Pipe' operation were also picked up by Russian war correspondents and pro-Kremlin Telegram channels. A video also appeared online purportedly showing Russian soldiers moving through the pipeline toward Kupiansk.

The Russian Defence Ministry has not yet commented on the claims.

Meanwhile, DeepState claims that Russian troops have already entered the neighbourhoods of Kupiansk, attacking the northern part of the city. Vitaly Ganchev, who was appointed by Russia as "head of the military-civilian administration" in the occupied areas of the Kharkiv region, stated that Russian army assault groups are in Kupiansk and are gradually pushing Ukrainian units out of the city.

But the head of the Kupiansk military administration, Andriy Besedin, said in response to a DeepState report claiming that Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups were constantly infiltrating Kupiansk through pipelines, as reported by BBC News Russian service.

"DeepState is jumping the gun," Besedin told Ukrainian television. "There are no Russians in Kupiansk. Indeed, fighting is taking place on the outskirts — it's in a neighbouring community, very close to the city."

The Ukrainian General Staff also commented on the DeepState claims regarding Kupiansk. In its statement, the General Staff acknowledged that Russian troops had used pipelines, but that the situation is currently "under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," BBC News reports.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

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