What's happened
The Ukrainian army has broadened its use of underground tunnels and gas pipelines near Kupiansk, expanding tactics into an underground battlefield. Drones and specialized units are reshaping control along the Oskil River as Kyiv reports progress in Operation Veles, described by President Zelensky as a great success.
What's behind the headline?
Implications for the conflict
- Ukraine is transforming its approach by integrating underground warfare with drone-enabled operations above ground.
- The tactic leverages existing industrial networks to reduce exposure and extend reach into contested zones.
- This evolution could push Russia to adapt its own countermeasures, increasing the tempo of underground operations and counter-tunnels.
What this means for civilians and frontline regions
- Underground battles intensify risk to local populations and complicate access to aid.
- Control of pipeline networks becomes a strategic prize with potential spillovers into energy reliability and regional transit.
Forecast
- Expect broader adoption of tunnel warfare in other fronts as both sides exploit infrastructure.
- International observers will scrutinize civilian impact and displacement."
How we got here
The battlefield has shifted from open terrains to built-up underground networks. Tunnels and gas pipelines, built during the Soviet era, are now key routes for movement, supply, and combat. Analysts note Ukraine is adopting tactics previously used by Russia in similar tunnel networks, leveraging urban infrastructure for stealth and resilience.
Our analysis
New York Times reports on Ukrainian drone use and the shift in command culture; France 24 highlights the Kupiansk tunnel network and expert analysis; Maria Varenikova’s firsthand account from The New York Times provides on-the-ground perspectives.
Go deeper
- What does this shift mean for daily life in front-line towns near Kupiansk?
- How might Russia respond to expanded underground warfare?
- Which international actors are monitoring civilian safety amid tunnel combats?
More on these topics
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Ukraine - Country in Europe
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.
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Vladimir Putin - Russian President
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Russia - Country
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in