Ukraine’s “Veles” Operation: Underground Counter-offensive Near Kupiansk

Ukrainian forces announced that more than 100 Russian soldiers were eliminated and over 30 captured during an underground counter-offensive along the Kupiansk axis. The operation, code-named “Veles,” involved an underground advance of more than 15 km (?9 mi) through gas pipelines and was executed by the National Guard’s 2nd Khartiia Corps with supporting units.

Kyiv IndependentUkrainian forces have successfully adapted Russian tactics, Zelensky on Operation Veles Kyiv IndependentUkrainian troops advanced more than 15 km through underground tunnels, Zelenskyy says Over 100 Russians killed and 30 prisoners: Zelenskyy reveals first results of Operation Veles in Kupyansk area

Russian troops had previously used underground gas pipelines to move covertly behind Ukrainian lines near Kupiansk, with a crossing of a pipeline over the Oskil River reported in September. Ukraine adapted the same infrastructure for its own offensive.

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• Volodymyr Zelensky – President of Ukraine, announced the results.

Ukrainian troops advanced more than 15 km through underground tunnels, Zelenskyy says

• Mykhailo Drapatyi – Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

Over 100 Russians killed and 30 prisoners: Zelenskyy reveals first results of Operation Veles in Kupyansk area

• Ihor Obolenskyi – Commander of the 2nd Khartiia Corps.

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• 2nd Khartiia Corps (National Guard) – Primary unit conducting the advance.

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• September – Russian use of a pipeline to cross the Oskil River.

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• Early October – Ukrainian infiltration of Russian rear positions via the pipeline network.

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• Mid-October – 2nd Khartiia Corps reported continued underground advance exceeding 15 km.

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• Late October – President Zelensky disclosed the preliminary casualty and capture figures.

Ukrainian troops advanced more than 15 km through underground tunnels, Zelenskyy says

• Casualties: Over 100 Russian soldiers eliminated; more than 30 taken prisoner.

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• Distance covered: More than 15 km underground movement.

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• Units involved: National Guard’s 2nd Khartiia Corps and supporting forces.

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President Zelensky said Ukrainian forces had turned the Russian tactic to their advantage, describing the adaptation as “more sophisticated and technologically advanced.” Military leaders Drapatyi and Obolenskyi confirmed the casualty figures and the extent of the underground advance.

Over 100 Russians killed and 30 prisoners: Zelenskyy reveals first results of Operation Veles in Kupyansk area

• “The Russians had already tried to use underground gas pipelines to move through our positions and launch assault operations. Ukrainian warriors have successfully transformed this tactic, modernized it, and made it much more sophisticated and technologically advanced,” — Volodymyr Zelensky, president

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The “Veles” operation shows Ukraine’s capacity to repurpose enemy infrastructure, allowing forces to bypass front-line defenses and create new pressure points on Russian positions in the Kharkiv region.

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No alternative casualty figures or contradictory accounts were identified. Independent verification of the reported numbers remains pending.

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