Tanks ablaze: Ukrainian intelligence and special forces hit key Russian rail lines
Illustrative photo: HUR and SSO attacked key railway branches in the Russian Federation (Getty Images)
On September 3, the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of the Ministry of Defense and the Special Operations Forces carried out a unique operation to disrupt Russian occupiers' railway connection along the Orel–Kursk route. As a result of the strike on the target, two Russian National Guard members were killed, and another was injured.
This was reported to RBC-Ukraine by sources in the Main Intelligence Directorate.
According to the source, during an attempt to clear mines on the Maloarkhangelsk–Glazunovka section, an engineering unit of the Russian National Guard special forces detonated. Two Russian National Guard members were killed, and another lost his legs.
As of 10:00 p.m. on September 13, federal railway traffic has been halted, with over 15 trains delayed in both directions. The sabotage on the railway was confirmed by the so-called "governor" Andrey Klichkov, and local residents have shared footage of the fire.
Another attack was carried out on the night of September 14. Around 2:30 a.m., railway traffic on the Stroganovo–Mshinska section was disrupted, affecting the Saint Petersburg–Pskov line. A locomotive derailed, and 15 fuel tankers were destroyed in the fire.
According to a source in the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), the operation was conducted jointly with units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
"These railway lines are critically important logistical links for supplying the occupying forces in the Kharkiv and Sumy directions. As a result of the destruction of railway infrastructure in these areas, the Russians will face significant logistical difficulties, which will, in turn, seriously affect their ability to carry out active operations against the Ukrainian Defense Forces," the HUR source emphasized.
The day before, strike drones hit the Novo-Ufimsky oil refinery in Bashkortostan. The facility is located nearly 1,500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
RBC-Ukraine released footage of the explosions and fire, recorded by local residents.
Later, the publication’s sources clarified that the attack on the facility was carried out by drones from the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine. The strikes caused explosions, which were followed by a large-scale fire.
