Solutions to win: Ukrainian troops travel over 15 km underground and capture more than 30 Russians during Operation Veles near Kupiansk
Photo source: Video screenshot
During Operation Veles in the Kupiansk sector, Ukrainian Defense Forces traveled over 15 km through underground communications into the rear of Russian troops and captured more than 30 Russian soldiers. According to the 2nd Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine "Khartia," the enemy's total losses exceeded 100 personnel.
The 2nd Corps of the NGU "Khartia" reported that Ukrainian troops advanced underground simultaneously with a surface offensive by other units, according to Rubryka.
Drones supported the Defense Forces' operations, including those of the 429th Unmanned Systems Brigade "Achilles."
"Khartia" stated that the operation prevented Russian troops from entering Kupiansk's rear.
Ihor Obolenskyi, Commander of the 2nd Corps of the NGU "Khartia," noted that Russian troops had used underground communications to bypass Ukrainian defenses; however, the Defense Forces managed to employ a similar approach in a counteroffensive.
"The Russians believed that underground communications were their exclusive tool to bypass our defense. We studied their experience, outplayed them on their own field, and turned this threat into our counteroffensive advantage," Obolenskyi said.
Before the operation, Ukrainian soldiers underwent physical and psychological preparation for actions in confined spaces. Combat engineers, sappers, and the support battalion equipped the underground route.
While moving underground, soldiers could not use GPS and lacked stable radio communication. To navigate, maintain contact, and ensure life support for the troops, the corps implemented its own technological solutions.
To coordinate the offensive, the "Khartia" Corps and the "Achilles" Brigade established a joint center. It synchronized unit actions underground and on the surface, as well as drone strikes.
"Synchronized with the underground offensive, corps units advanced on the surface—leaving the enemy under attack from two dimensions at once," the corps reported.
The headquarters of the 2nd Corps of the NGU "Khartia" directed the operation. It involved:
- The 13th Brigade of the NGU "Khartia"
- Units of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine of the Ministry of Defense, including the Freedom of Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK)
- The 23rd Assault Regiment "R.U.H."
- The 21st Unmanned Systems Regiment "Lava"
- The 429th Unmanned Systems Brigade "Achilles" and other units of the Defense Forces
The 2nd Corps of the NGU "Khartia" called "Veles" the world's first full-scale underground counteroffensive operation.
Background
"Khartia" originated in 2022 as a territorial defense volunteer formation. In 2023, it became the 13th Operational Assignment Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine.
On April 15, 2025, the National Guard created the 2nd Corps "Khartia" based on the brigade, with Ihor Obolenskyi taking command.
On February 3 last year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi announced an approved plan to transition to a new organizational structure for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and establish an army corps.
Defenders also used ground robotic systems for demining, supporting assault actions, and managing frontline logistics. In the Shandryholove sector, robots cleared 30 kilometers of routes without a single casualty among sappers.
Commander of the "Center" force grouping, Andrii Biletskyi, reported that following Operation Vivaldi, Russian troops temporarily abandoned attempts to launch a frontal assault on Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. However, they plan to return to that approach. The defeat of the Russian offensive grouping also disrupted plans to encircle the Donetsk region.
Currently, the enemy continues to focus its efforts on the Dobropillia sector.
