Details of the operation launched by Russian special forces against the Ukrainian town of Sudzha further clarify the extent of the conflict in the region. The gradual emergence of information about the secret infiltration of Russian soldiers into Ukrainian positions via the gas pipeline and this strategic move further complicates Russia’s military operations in the region.
Natural Gas Pipeline and Operation Details
Russian soldiers reportedly managed to enter the town of Sudzha using the Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhhorod gas pipeline, which is about 4,5 feet (1,37 meters) wide. It is known that this pipeline previously carried Russian gas to Europe and was decommissioned as of 2024. Some Russian soldiers allegedly died from suffocation during the operation, while a unit of about 100 people reportedly advanced about 14 kilometers along the pipeline. The Russian special forces’ advance in this way, hidden from Ukrainian surveillance systems, may have delayed the reactions of Ukrainian troops in the region.
It is stated that the clashes in the region were supported by the intense bombardment of the Russian air force. The fact that some Russian soldiers lost their lives while advancing on this road due to the heat, the narrow structure of the pipeline and the lack of oxygen shows how difficult the operation was.
Ukraine's Response and Situation Assessment
The Ukrainian General Staff announced that the Russian special forces responded immediately after leaving the pipeline. The intensification of the fighting in the Sudzha region shows that Russian losses are increasing and the Ukrainian army is strengthening its resistance in this area. Ukraine's struggle in this region is not only of military importance, but also of strategic importance. This secret attack by Russia on the pipeline aims to cut off Ukraine's important supply routes.
The escalation of the conflict in the region and the information that Russia is sending troops from North Korea are being evaluated as a move by Moscow to increase its military power. Ukrainian military analysts say that these reinforcements give Russia a numerical superiority, which will make Ukraine's defense even more difficult.
Strategic and Political Importance of the Kursk Region
According to statements made by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Ukrainian troops in Kursk are under great threat and are expected to withdraw from the region. The loss of Ukraine's military presence in the Kursk region is not only a military loss, but also a major blow from a political and strategic perspective.
The Kiev leadership, while discussing the necessity of a complete withdrawal from Kursk, emphasizes the strategic and political importance of the region to Ukraine. Kursk is considered a critical area for the defense line in eastern Ukraine, and the loss of the region could weaken Ukraine's defense structure.
Kiev’s efforts to halt Russian operations and its strategy to maintain resistance at the border could affect Ukraine’s long-term goals. But there are growing concerns that the US’s suspension of military support and intelligence sharing is making things even more difficult for Ukraine. Ukraine’s efforts to maintain its presence in the Kursk region have the potential to become a bargaining chip in future peace talks.
