Ukrainian forces blow up key pipeline, blocking Russian advance toward Kupiansk
Illustrative photo: Ukrainian army fighting in Kupiansk (Getty Images)
In Kupiansk, Ukrainian forces destroyed a gas pipeline used by Russian soldiers to advance into the city, effectively blocking their route, reports Yurii Fedorenko, Commander of the 429th Separate Regiment of Unmanned Systems Achilles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to Fedorenko, during reconnaissance along the Kupiansk defense line, regiment operators identified an unusual but critically important Russian logistical route. It involved a gas pipeline that the Russians used to move personnel to the northern outskirts of Kupiansk.
"This was a safe route that allowed the enemy to amass forces while avoiding fire control. The Achilles regiment began systematic operations to destroy this route," Fedorenko said.
Three tons of explosives were used to destroy the pipeline. Later, neighboring units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces stationed nearby joined the operation.
During the defense of Kupiansk, the regiment also carried out missions to destroy Russian drone positions, target personnel and equipment, and conduct logistical and evacuation operations. From April to December 2025, the Achilles regiment achieved the following results:
- 1,877 enemy personnel engaged (998 killed, 879 wounded);
- 8,324 enemy shelters and 232 drone launch sites attacked;
- 61 vehicles destroyed, 611 damaged;
- 9 armored vehicles destroyed, 54 damaged;
- 8 artillery systems destroyed, 146 damaged;
- 8 tons of supplies delivered to Ukrainian positions, including food, medicine, equipment, warm clothing, generators, and fuel.
Kupiansk operation: Encirclement of Russian forces
On December 12, Russian forces were encircled in Kupiansk, a city that Russian leader Vladimir Putin claimed had already been "liberated" twice. The 2nd Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine Khartia reported a successful counterattack by Ukrainian Defense Forces in the area.
At least 200 Russian troops were trapped in the city, while Ukrainian forces cleared Russian soldiers from the Yuvileinyi residential area. The counteroffensive resulted in over 1,000 Russian soldiers killed.
Amid the ongoing operations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Kupiansk direction on December 12. He recorded a video from Kupiansk despite active fighting in the city. OSINT sources report that the president filmed his address from just over a kilometer away from the positions of encircled Russian troops.
