Russian troops keep crawling through the pipelines. Ukraine’s drone units have every exit covered.

Russia’s attempts to move troops through underground gas pipelines are no longer a surprise maneuver but a known route that Ukrainian forces actively monitor, according to reporting by NV.

These operations are part of a broader Russian approach to bypass Ukrainian frontline positions. NV notes that Russian forces have repeatedly used pipelines in previous operations, portraying them as a way to achieve surprise and gain strategic advantage. Despite heavy losses, Russia continues to attempt similar moves, indicating that the tactic remains a part of their operational thinking.

Along the northern Sumy Oblast border, Ukrainian units track pipeline infrastructure as part of their regular surveillance, watching not only for troops emerging from underground but also for activity around entry and exit points.

According to NV, the 425th Separate Unmanned Systems Battalion, known as “Eyes,” has mapped the pipeline network running through Russia’s Kursk Oblast and into Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast, integrating it into operational awareness systems.

Monitoring entry points, exits, and surface activity

The unit conducts detailed surveillance of areas around the pipelines, including locations where Russian forces could attempt to enter or exit. This includes tracking signs of engineering work such as digging, modifications to the pipeline, or the installation of ventilation systems.

“All these pipelines are well known and mapped,” a Ukrainian commander told NV, rejecting claims that they offer hidden routes.

He added that many sections of the network are already damaged or partially collapsed due to earlier fighting.

According to NV, Ukrainian surveillance tools allow operators to detect even small changes on the ground near these sites, helping identify possible preparations for infiltration.

February assault detected in advance

NV reports that Russian forces have repeatedly attempted to use pipelines in the area, including a larger effort in early February 2026.

Ukrainian units had prior information about the planned attempt and identified potential exit points in advance. As a result, they were able to prepare the area using a combination of surveillance and defensive measures.

When Russian troops attempted to emerge, some were killed, while others were captured, according to the report. Additional losses may have occurred inside the pipeline before reaching the surface.

Tactic persists despite earlier outcomes

The use of pipelines for infiltration gained attention during fighting near Sudzha in Russia’s Kursk Oblast in 2025, when Russian sources claimed a large-scale breakthrough through a gas pipeline.

Ukrainian accounts cited by NV indicated a smaller operation, with troops suffering losses both inside the pipeline and upon exiting.

According to NV, similar attempts have continued along the Sumy axis since then. However, pipeline exits typically lead into contested areas between positions rather than deep rear areas.

At the same time, the “Eyes” battalion is expanding its use of strike drones, with some units already operating systems capable of both reconnaissance and targeted strikes.