Intense Underground Combat in Ukraine

Both Russian and Ukrainian forces are engaged in a fierce underground conflict within narrow, Soviet-era gas pipelines. This shift has introduced a perilous new aspect to the battlefield in Ukraine, especially as aerial activity becomes riskier due to drone surveillance.

Ukrainian troops have initiated an underground counteroffensive near Kupiansk, effectively countering a Russian strategy that once allowed their forces to slip behind Ukrainian lines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated that this operation has led to the elimination of over 100 Russian soldiers and captured several others, actively changing the dynamics of the confrontation.

Fighting in these confined spaces has proven to be extremely hazardous. A video shared by Ukraine’s 39th Brigade depicts a fortified position in a tunnel where a Ukrainian soldier operates a .50 caliber machine gun. The setup is so heavily barricaded that it’s unclear whether the soldier is targeting actual enemies or simply firing into the unknown.

Matt Boyse, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, mentioned that advancements in drone technology and surveillance capabilities have compelled both sides to seek refuge underground. While bunkers have long been integral to the conflict since the initial Russian invasion in 2014, combat in subterranean environments is becoming increasingly common, particularly as Russia looks to avoid Ukrainian ambushes.

As Boyse noted, Russian troops utilized drainage tunnels and gas pipelines to infiltrate Ukrainian defenses, while Ukrainian forces responded by sabotaging these pipelines with flooding, mining, or sealing them off.

Another video shared by Zelenskyy appears to show captured Russian soldiers being escorted through these pipelines, blindfolded with duct tape.

Dubbed Operation Veles, the mission has seen Ukrainian forces progress more than nine miles underground in the northeastern Kharkiv region. This operation aligns surface and aerial tactics with underground movements, aiming to obstruct Russian advancements in Kupiansk.

Barry R. Posen, a political science professor at MIT, commented on how modern weaponry encourages fortifications and tunneling as tactics, noting that urban environments offer pre-existing structures that can be fortified, hence the growing trend of subterranean warfare.

The 2nd Khartiia Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine has released footage showcasing their operational successes in this shifting theater of war. Previously, Russian forces took advantage of the pipeline network to maneuver undetected beneath Ukrainian defensive lines, establishing strongholds that circumvent aerial surveillance.

However, David Cattler from the Center for European Policy Analysis highlighted the inherent dangers of underground warfare. Limited space complicates maneuvers and poses challenges for communication as well as casualty evacuation. Additionally, soldiers often contend with hazardous conditions, including toxic fumes and remains in the tunnels.

Ukrainian soldiers have described intense face-to-face encounters with Russian troops, separated sometimes by mere feet. Compounding issues, obstructions within the pipelines sometimes hinder robotic units designed for remote engagement.

Ground vehicles equipped with explosives are deployed by Ukraine to dismantle Russian barricades, showcasing a blend of high-tech strategies with close-quarters combat.

This evolution in underground warfighting reflects a more complex framework, as emphasized by military experts. Previous Russian operations in war zones have utilized similar tactics, but this current dynamic appears to be significantly refined.

Reportedly, Russian forces have employed these tunnels for troop movements and surreptitious assaults. The success of Operation Veles has disrupted Russian control over northern Kupiansk, with numerous personnel still in the area but under significant threat from Ukrainian operations.

While underground combat isn’t a new phenomenon in military history, its resurgence during this conflict has highlighted the necessity for adapting strategies to include subterranean warfare effectively. The challenge, as military analysts suggest, is in evolving training and equipment to meet this changing landscape while maintaining the ability to maneuver above ground.

In summary, the transformation of this conflict into an underground battleground suggests a significant shift in modern warfare dynamics, influenced heavily by advancing technology and shifting tactical necessities.