Sunday, May 17, 2026 3:30:38 PM

Ukrainian troops have captured Russian soldiers who attempted to sneak toward Ukrainian positions near Orikhiv by traveling through an underground gas pipeline, according to Ukraine’s 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade. The brigade released a video , showing the aftermath of the operation.

According to the Ukrainian military, the Russian group began their journey on occupied territory, entering the underground gas pipeline, which stretched approximately 13 kilometers and exited near Ukraine’s defensive positions.

The captured Russian assault troops said they traveled nearly 13 kilometers inside the pipe. They claimed that once their group had entered, the pipeline was sealed behind them, making retreat impossible.

Ukrainian forces had reportedly received intelligence about the Russians’ plan to use the gas pipeline for covert movement and were prepared to intercept the group. The Russian prisoners described seeing leaflets with instructions and contact information for voluntary surrender near the pipeline’s exit.

Russian troops in the Orikhiv area of Zaporizhzhia have increasingly used major gas pipelines to move assault groups behind Ukrainian lines, with some soldiers surrendering after emerging from the tunnels.

This is not the first incident of its kind. In April, Russian soldiers attempted a similar maneuver via gas pipeline in the Sumy region, which ended in defeat for what Ukrainian troops dubbed the “chimney sweeps.” In February, paratroopers from Ukraine’s 71st Separate Airborne Brigade destroyed another group; out of 22 Russian troops, only one survived.

(C)UAWIRE 2026