Zelensky: Ukrainian forces advanced over 15 km underground in Operation Veles

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has commented on Operation Veles, carried out in the Kupiansk sector of the war with Russia by the 2nd Corps of Ukraine's National Guard, known as Khartiia. During the operation, Ukrainian defence forces moved more than 15 kilometres underground and reached the Russian rear.

First results

Zelensky wrote on social media that Mykhailo Drapatyi, Ihor Obolenskyi and Pavlo Palisa had reported to him on the first results and the progress of the operation. According to the president, more than one hundred Russian troops have been killed so far and more than thirty taken prisoner. The distance covered underground exceeds 15 kilometres.

Evolution of the tactic

The president added that Russian forces had previously tried to use underground gas pipelines to move past Ukrainian positions and switch to assault actions. In his words, Ukrainian soldiers have successfully transformed this tactic, modernised it and made it far more thought-out and technological.

Zelensky stressed that Ukraine is protecting the lives of its people, inflicting losses on the enemy and achieving its set objectives in the Kupiansk sector.

Background

Khartiia itself had earlier announced the operation. It reported that Defence Forces under its command had gone more than 15 kilometres underground into the Russian rear and captured more than 30 Russian troops. The number of prisoners cited by the president matches that statement.