Ukrainian forces capture 30 Russians in underground operation near Kupiansk
Photo: The Veles underground counteroffensive operation brought the Ukrainian Defense Forces behind Russian lines (Getty Images)
The Khartiia unit of the 2nd Corps of the Ukrainian National Guard carried out the Veles underground counteroffensive operation in the Kupiansk sector. They advanced over 15 kilometers behind Russian lines via underground tunnels.
The operation was carried out by a task force under the command of the 2nd Corps of the Ukrainian National Guard, Khartiia. It combined an underground offensive with surface operations and drone strikes.
This prevented the occupiers from advancing into the rear of Kupiansk.
Over 30 Russian troops were taken prisoner. Russian casualties exceeded 100.
Корпус «Хартія» про підземну контрнаступальну операцію «Велес» – Сили оборони просунулися на понад 15 кілометрів підземними комунікаціями в тил ворога на Куп’янському напрямку! pic.twitter.com/npULy41RCQ
— КОРПУС ХАРТІЯ (@khartiia_corps) October 22, 2026
“We observed how Russia operated underground and studied their methods. The Russians intended to use gas pipelines to infiltrate the rear of our troops. So we went underground ourselves. We anticipated Russia's actions and mastered the tactics of conducting combat operations underground," explained Brigadier General Ihor Obolenskyi, commander of the Khartiia Corps.
The Khartiia Brigade, the R.U.H. Assault Regiment, the Lava Unmanned Systems Regiment, and the Achilles Unmanned Systems Brigade joined the operation. Units of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) were also involved, including the Freedom of Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK).
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) states that Ukrainian troops destroyed a large Russian division during Operation Vivaldi.
According to analysts, the 144th Motorized Rifle Division suffered such heavy losses that it effectively ceased to exist as an organized combat unit.
As of October 21, the Ukrainian Armed Forces had eliminated 2,250 Russian soldiers, including those killed and wounded.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces called this a record for the entire period of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
