Operation Stream

In August 2024, the Ukrainian Armed Forces invaded Kursk Oblast and occupied a large part of it. By mid-February 2025, Russian forces managed to retake more than half of the lost territory,{{Cite news |last=Faulconbridge |first=Guy |last2=Kelly |first2=Lidia |date=2025-03-10 |title=Russian forces advance in Kursk and curl behind Ukrainian forces |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-forces-advance-further-kursk-war-bloggers-say-2025-03-10/ |access-date=2025-03-27 |work=Reuters}} isolating Ukrainian forces in a narrow wedge centered around the town of Sudzha and its surrounding settlements. The town is located near the Urengoy–Pomary–Uzhhorod pipeline, through which Russian gas was supplied to Europe until Ukraine terminated all Russian transit on January 1, 2025.{{ cite web | first= | last= | title=Russian forces snuck through gas pipeline to ambush Ukrainian troops in Kursk | lang=en | trans-title= | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/kursk-pipeline-attack-russia-ukraine-war-1.7478894 | publisher=CBC News & Reuters | date=March 9, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250313123934/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/kursk-pipeline-attack-russia-ukraine-war-1.7478894 | url-status=live | archive-date=March 13, 2025 | url-access= }}

According to a Russian newspaper Izvestia, the preparations for a pipeline raid began in January.{{Cite news |date=2025-03-15 |title=Железный «Поток»: неизвестные факты о дерзкой операции по освобождению Суджи |trans-title=Iron “Flow”: unknown facts about the daring operation to liberate Sudzha |url=https://iz.ru/1853968/sergei-prudnikov/zeleznyi-potok-neizvestnye-fakty-o-derzkoi-operacii-po-osvobozdeniu-sudzi |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250319144438/https://iz.ru/1853968/sergei-prudnikov/zeleznyi-potok-neizvestnye-fakty-o-derzkoi-operacii-po-osvobozdeniu-sudzi |archive-date=2025-03-19 |access-date=2025-03-27 |work=Известия |language=ru}} This strategy was already used by the Veterans brigade in the capture of Avdiivka, when a group of Russian fighters managed to get into the section of the city occupied by Ukrainian troops through a partially flooded drainage pipe.{{cite web |last=Barber |first=Harriet |date=March 9, 2025 |title=Watch: Russian special forces crawl through gas pipelines to ambush Ukrainians |trans-title= |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/watch-russian-special-forces-crawl-131849620.html |url-access= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310185840/https://www.yahoo.com/news/watch-russian-special-forces-crawl-131849620.html |archive-date=March 10, 2025 |publisher=Yahoo! News & The Telegraph |lang=en}}{{cite web | first=Mike | last=Eckel | title=Kursk Ambush: Did Russia Pull Off Another Pipeline Sneak Attack On Ukrainian Troops? | lang=en | trans-title= | url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-kursk-pipeline-surprise-attack-/33346763.html | publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty | date=March 13, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317031311/https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-kursk-pipeline-surprise-attack-/33346763.html | url-status=live | archive-date=March 17, 2025 | url-access= }} They were given the task of attacking the Ukrainians in the rear in Sudzha.{{cite web |last=Newdick |first=Thomas |date=March 10, 2025 |title=Russian Raiders Crawled For Miles Through Gas Pipeline To Attack Ukrainians In Kursk |trans-title= |url=https://www.twz.com/land/russian-raiders-crawled-for-miles-through-gas-pipeline-to-attack-ukrainians-in-kursk |url-access= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250313122112/https://www.twz.com/land/russian-raiders-crawled-for-miles-through-gas-pipeline-to-attack-ukrainians-in-kursk |archive-date=March 13, 2025 |publisher=The War Zone |lang=en}}

The Veterans spent weeks digging a 500-meter long underground tunnel to conceal the entrance to the pipeline. Several days were spent pumping out the residual gas.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-14 |title=«Все карты, которые нам показывали, вводили людей в заблуждение». Военный обозреватель Валерий Ширяев о ситуации в Курской области, прекращении огня и о том, чего ждать от переговоров |trans-title=“All the maps that were shown to us misled people.” Military observer Valery Shiryaev on the situation in Kursk Region, the ceasefire and what to expect from the negotiations |url=https://novayagazeta.ru/articles/2025/03/14/vse-karty-kotorye-nam-pokazyvali-vvodili-liudei-v-zabluzhdenie |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=Новая газета |language=ru}} The oxygen level inside the pipe was low, so soldiers were instructed to stay at least 10 meters apart, though many troops still huddled together in tight groups due to stress. To compensate for the lack of oxygen, vents were made in the pipe, but they were often filled with earth. The lack of oxygen and toxic fumes led to several people getting hospitalized, with some reportedly dying from methane poisoning. According to a Russian commander involved in the operation, call sign "Zombie", the pipeline was equipped with toilets, was filled with oxygen, and contained ammunition and food.{{cite web | first=Polina | last=Ivanova | title=From daring invasion to rapid retreat: the end of Ukraine's Kursk gambit | lang=en | trans-title= | url=https://www.ft.com/content/f3b3d3f9-2c55-45f4-a11d-2e12feeb1018 | publisher=The Financial Times | date=March 13, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320225741/https://www.ft.com/content/f3b3d3f9-2c55-45f4-a11d-2e12feeb1018 | url-status=live | archive-date=March 20, 2025 | url-access=subscription }} Cargo carts and e-scooters were used to move supplies through the pipe. Soldiers moved through the pipe unarmed, receiving weapons only at the exit point.

On March 8, 2025, at around 05:00–06:00, the assault party emerged from the pipe{{Cite web |last=Kyrylenko |first=Olha |date=2025-03-21 |title=What happened in Russia’s Kursk Oblast during the last month of defence |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/articles/2025/03/21/7503853/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=en}} and the Russian Armed Forces launched a large-scale counteroffensive in Kursk Oblast.{{cite web | first= | last= | title=A costly gamble Meduza analyzes Russia’s Kursk counteroffensive and what losing Sudzha means for Ukraine | lang=en | trans-title= | url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/03/17/a-costly-gamble | publisher=Meduza | date=March 17, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317221247/https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/03/17/a-costly-gamble | url-status=live | archive-date=March 17, 2025 | url-access= }} On the same day, pro-Russian military bloggers and Ukrainian sources reported that Russian servicemen had traveled nearly {{convert|16|km|mi}} through a 1.4-meter diameter gas pipeline, reached the rear of the Ukrainian military near the city of Sudzha, and dug in, walking in the pipe for two days and spending four more days underground waiting for the order to attack.{{cite web | first= | last= | title=Russian troops reportedly spent days crawling through gas pipeline to slip behind Ukrainian lines in Kursk region | lang=en | trans-title= | url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/03/10/russian-troops-reportedly-spent-days-crawling-through-gas-pipeline-to-slip-behind-ukrainian-lines-in-kursk-region | publisher=Meduza | date=March 10, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250311230218/https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/03/10/russian-troops-reportedly-spent-days-crawling-through-gas-pipeline-to-slip-behind-ukrainian-lines-in-kursk-region | url-status=live | archive-date=March 11, 2025 | url-access= }}{{cite web |last= |first= |date=March 9, 2025 |title=Russian Forces Walk Inside Gas Pipeline To Outflank Ukrainian Troops |trans-title= |url=https://www.newsweek.com/russian-forces-walk-inside-gas-pipeline-out-flank-ukrainian-troops-2041832 |url-access= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250314043128/https://www.newsweek.com/russian-forces-walk-inside-gas-pipeline-out-flank-ukrainian-troops-2041832 |archive-date=March 14, 2025 |publisher=Newsweek |lang=en}} Videos that surfaced online on Telegram show Russian soldiers "marching" equipped with gas masks,{{cite web | first= | last= | title='Putin's Men Crawl 15 Kms In Gas Pipeline': Dramatic Footage Of Russia's SHOCKING Kursk Ambush | lang=en | trans-title= | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/international/putins-men-crawl-15-kms-in-gas-pipeline-dramatic-footage-of-russias-shocking-kursk-ambush/videoshow/118821928.cms | publisher=The Times of India | date=March 9, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250311202205/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/international/putins-men-crawl-15-kms-in-gas-pipeline-dramatic-footage-of-russias-shocking-kursk-ambush/videoshow/118821928.cms | url-status=live | archive-date=March 11, 2025 | url-access= }} while others also report soldiers cursing and complaining about the commanders who sent them on the mission.{{cite web | first= | last= | title=Russian forces creep through disused gas pipeline in attempt to launch surprise attack on Ukrainian soldiers | lang=en | trans-title= | url=https://news.sky.com/story/russian-forces-creep-through-disused-gas-pipeline-in-attempt-to-launch-surprise-attack-on-ukrainian-soldiers-13324938 | publisher=Sky News | date=March 9, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250315015226/https://news.sky.com/story/russian-forces-creep-through-disused-gas-pipeline-in-attempt-to-launch-surprise-attack-on-ukrainian-soldiers-13324938 | url-status=live | archive-date=March 15, 2025 | url-access= }} At this point, Ukrainian military blogger Yuriy Butusov said the deployed Russian force consisted of an assault company,{{cite web | first1=Maria | last1=Kostenko | first2=Christian | last2=Edwards | first3=Sophie | last3=Tanno | title=Russia is advancing in Kursk, threatening Ukraine’s sole territorial bargaining counter | lang=en | trans-title= | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/09/europe/russia-advances-kursk-ukraine-intl/index.html | publisher=CNN | date=March 9, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318014657/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/09/europe/russia-advances-kursk-ukraine-intl/index.html | url-status=live | archive-date=March 18, 2025 | url-access= }} the Russian forces that were sent on this mission may have numbered to 600{{cite web | first= | last= | title="Труба" врагу: участники легендарной операции в Судже рассказывают о своем подвиге | lang=ru | trans-title="Pipe" to the enemy: participants of the legendary operation in Sudzha tell about their feat | url=https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/23404523 | publisher=TASS | date=March 15, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317233019/https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/23404523 | url-status=live | archive-date=March 17, 2025 | url-access= }}{{cite web | first= | last= | title=Russia’s Operation Potok Cuts Ukrainian Supply Lines in Kursk Region | lang=en | trans-title= | url=https://theeuropetoday.com/2025/03/13/russias-operation-potok-cuts-ukrainian-supply-lines-in-kursk-region/ | publisher=The Europe Today | date=March 17, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317233423/https://theeuropetoday.com/2025/03/13/russias-operation-potok-cuts-ukrainian-supply-lines-in-kursk-region/ | url-status=live | archive-date=March 17, 2025 | url-access= }}—800 men,{{cite web | first= | last= | title=Генштаб ВСУ подтвердил, что российские военные попытались проникнуть в Суджу по газопроводу | lang=ru | trans-title=The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed that Russian military attempted to enter Sudzha via a gas pipeline | url=https://meduza.io/news/2025/03/09/genshtab-vsu-podtverdil-chto-rossiyskie-voennye-popytalis-proniknut-v-sudzhu-po-gazoprovodu | publisher=Meduza | date=March 9, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250311231104/https://meduza.io/news/2025/03/09/genshtab-vsu-podtverdil-chto-rossiyskie-voennye-popytalis-proniknut-v-sudzhu-po-gazoprovodu | url-status=live | archive-date=March 11, 2025 | url-access= }}{{cite web | first=Bashir | last=Kitachayev | title=Ukraine Risks Losing Kursk Foothold as Russia Pushes Forward | lang=en | trans-title= | url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/03/10/ukraine-risks-losing-kursk-foothold-as-russia-pushes-forward-a88310 | publisher=The Moscow Times | date=March 10, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250314180507/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/03/10/ukraine-risks-losing-kursk-foothold-as-russia-pushes-forward-a88310 | url-status=live | archive-date=March 14, 2025 | url-access= }} with around 100 emerging from the pipe.{{cite web |last=Mukhina |first=Olena |date=March 8, 2025 |title=Nearly 100 Russian troops infiltrate critical Ukrainian defense line through pipeline as Kursk encirclement tightens |trans-title= |url=https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/03/08/nearly-100-russian-troops-infiltrate-critical-ukrainian-defense-line-through-pipeline-as-kursk-encirclement-tightens/ |url-access= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250309074850/https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/03/08/nearly-100-russian-troops-infiltrate-critical-ukrainian-defense-line-through-pipeline-as-kursk-encirclement-tightens/ |archive-date=March 9, 2025 |publisher=Euromaidan Press |lang=en}}{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Luke |date=March 9, 2025 |title=Russian forces recapture villages in Ukrainian-held pocket inside Russia |trans-title= |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/09/russian-forces-recapture-villages-in-kursk-ukrainian-held-pocket-inside-russia |url-access= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310152226/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/09/russian-forces-recapture-villages-in-kursk-ukrainian-held-pocket-inside-russia |archive-date=March 10, 2025 |publisher=The Guardian |lang=en}}

Russian soldiers that emerged from the pipe had marked themselves with blue tape, same color as the Ukrainian army uses, in order to deceive the Ukrainian forces and make them think "that their own units were advancing". According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), this may amount to perfidy, which is considered a war crime.{{Cite news |date=21 March 2025 |title=Operation Potok – Inside Story of (Failed) Russian Gas Pipeline Infiltration |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/49346}}{{cite web | author= | title=Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, March 19, 2025 | lang=en | trans-title= | url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-19-2025 | publisher=ISW | date=March 19, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250321110246/https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-19-2025 | url-status=live | archive-date=March 21, 2025 | url-access= }}

According to Ukrainska Pravda, Ukrainian soldiers were aware of the Russian plan five days in advance, after the Russians began clearing the exit zone with glide bombs, but their attention was diverted by a Russian breakthrough near Kurilovka south of Sudzha, and they were unable to blow up or block the pipe in advance due to poor logistics. According to Ukrainian officer Myroslav Hai, commanders of a Ukrainian air assault brigade set up an ambush and inflicted "very heavy" losses on the Russians,{{ cite web | first=Harriet | last=Barber | title=Watch: Russian special forces crawl through gas pipelines to ambush Ukrainians | lang=em | trans-title= | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/09/russian-special-forces-crawl-through-gas-pipelines-ambush/ | publisher=The Telegraph | date=March 9, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250313103431/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/09/russian-special-forces-crawl-through-gas-pipelines-ambush/ | url-status=live | archive-date=March 13, 2025 | url-access= }}{{ cite web | first= | last= | title=The AFU Lost Positions in Kursk Oblast Due to a Lack of Intelligence Data From the U.S. | lang=en | trans-title= | url=https://istories.media/en/news/2025/03/10/the-afu-lost-positions-due-to-a-lack-of-intelligence-data/ | publisher=Istories | date=March 10, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250316225404/https://istories.media/en/news/2025/03/10/the-afu-lost-positions-due-to-a-lack-of-intelligence-data/ | url-status=live | archive-date=March 16, 2025 | url-access= }} possibly up to 80% of their force,{{ cite web | first= | last= | title=Ukrainian forces wipe out 80% of Russian group in attempted Sudzha gas pipeline ambush | lang=en | trans-title= | url=https://english.nv.ua/nation/kursk-oblast-ukrainian-armed-forces-officer-says-military-eliminated-a-group-of-russians-in-sudzha-50496288.html | publisher=The New Voice of Ukraine | date=March 8, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312121048/https://english.nv.ua/nation/kursk-oblast-ukrainian-armed-forces-officer-says-military-eliminated-a-group-of-russians-in-sudzha-50496288.html | url-status=live | archive-date=March 12, 2025 | url-access= }} claiming to have repulsed them.

According to other sources, the operation managed to achieve a certain element of surprise, since the use of the pipeline provided protection from surveillance by Ukrainian drones. The War Zone notes that it is likely that after exiting the pipe, at least some of the fighters joined other Russian troops already in the Sudzha area.

According to The Financial Times, after the raid, the Ukrainian side began to retreat. According to Ukrainian soldiers interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, some Ukrainian units were already withdrawing. They said that the pipeline raid caused panic and prompted some field commanders to start retreating without an order from their higher-ups to avoid being captured.{{Cite news |last=Coles |first=Isabel |date=2025-03-22 |title=‘Keep Moving to Survive’: Ukrainians Recount Perilous Retreat From Russian Territory |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/keep-moving-to-survive-ukrainians-recount-perilous-retreat-from-russian-territory-feabc8ea |access-date=2025-03-27 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}} Soldiers interviewed by Ukrainska Pravda said that the most damage to the Ukrainian forces was caused by left flank strike in February and south strike in early March. These, combined with the raid and Russians destroying bridges around Sudzha, forced Ukrainians to retreat.

On March 10, the Russian side stated that the operation had disoriented Ukrainian units, which led to the liberation of several settlements.{{cite web |last= |first= |date=March 11, 2025 |title=Russian Army Reports Major Advances in Kursk Region After ‘Operation Pipeline’ |trans-title= |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/03/11/russian-army-reports-major-advances-in-kursk-region-after-operation-pipeline-a88315 |url-access= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250315041742/https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/03/11/russian-army-reports-major-advances-in-kursk-region-after-operation-pipeline-a88315 |archive-date=March 15, 2025 |publisher=The Moscow Times |lang=en}}

According to Russian officials, 800 fighters were engaged in crawling the pipeline. The War Zone reprints reports of total of 100 Russian soldiers participating, although Ukrainian sources report up to 100 soldiers as emerging from the pipe near Sudzha.{{Cite web |title=About 100 Russians use gas pipeline to reach Ukrainian positions near Sudzha, Kursk Oblast |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/03/8/7501875/ |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=Ukrainska Pravda |language=en}} According to Ukrainian military, Russian losses were heavy, with some suffocating in the pipe, and only 90 surviving the crawl, the exit and making it into Sudzha.

The War Zone calls the pipeline raid an "extraordinary mission" and although its results are unclear, it highlights the importance for Russian authorities of recapturing the Kursk region territory captured by Ukrainian troops.

The Russian covert manoeuvre, which allowed them to bypass Ukrainian defences undetected, highlights Russia’s evolving battlefield tactics in a conflict that has increasingly relied on unconventional warfare.{{ cite web | first= | last= | title=How a gas pipeline helped Russia mount a rear strike against Ukrainian troops in Kursk | lang=en | trans-title= | url=https://www.firstpost.com/world/how-a-gas-pipeline-helped-russia-mount-a-rear-strike-against-ukrainian-troops-in-kursk-13870078.html | publisher=First Post | date=March 9, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250313080631/https://www.firstpost.com/world/how-a-gas-pipeline-helped-russia-mount-a-rear-strike-against-ukrainian-troops-in-kursk-13870078.html | url-status=live | archive-date=March 13, 2025 | url-access= }}

The publication Meduza notes that during the operation, Russian troops entered the rear of Ukrainian positions, although the data on how successful the operation was is contradictory.{{ cite web | author= | title=Российские войска освободили Суджу. Вот что жители города рассказывают об украинской оккупации, которая длилась семь месяцев | lang=ru | trans-title=Russian troops have liberated Sudzha. Here is what the city's residents say about the Ukrainian occupation, which lasted seven months | url=https://meduza.io/feature/2025/03/14/chuzhie-nas-ne-obizhali-a-ot-svoih-pomoschi-my-uzhe-i-perestali-zhdat | publisher=Meduza | date=March 14, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318124931/https://meduza.io/feature/2025/03/14/chuzhie-nas-ne-obizhali-a-ot-svoih-pomoschi-my-uzhe-i-perestali-zhdat | url-status=live | archive-date=March 18, 2025 | url-access= }}

Radio Liberty draws attention to the fact that after March 8, Ukrainian troops lost significant territories in the Kursk region, in some places there was a sudden withdrawal of Ukrainian Armed Forces units, and on March 13, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the return of control over Sudzha. However, the role of the attack through the pipeline in these events is still unclear.

The New York Times notes that while the pipeline raid is controversial, it coincided with breakthroughs in Ukrainian defenses by Russian troops in several areas of the Kursk region.{{cite web |last=Kurmanaev |first=Anatoly |date=March 11, 2025 |title=Russia Begins Assault on Ukrainian-Occupied Town in Kursk Region |trans-title= |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/11/world/europe/ukraine-sudzha-russian-forces.html |url-access= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250315085417/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/11/world/europe/ukraine-sudzha-russian-forces.html |archive-date=March 15, 2025 |publisher=The New York Times |lang=en}}

According to military analyst Pasi Paroinen from Black Bird Group, although the exact number of participants in the operation cannot be estimated, the raid led to confusion and disarray in the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and probably triggered them to start a retreat.{{ cite web | first=Marc | last=Santona | title=How Ukraine’s Offensive in Russia’s Kursk Region Unraveled | lang=en | trans-title= | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/16/world/europe/ukraine-kursk-retreat-russia.html | publisher=The New York Times | date=March 16, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250320163922/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/16/world/europe/ukraine-kursk-retreat-russia.html | url-status=live | archive-date=March 20, 2025 | url-access=registration }}

The operation was deemed a "suprise operation" by Russian media.{{cite web |last1=Guy |first1=Falcounbridge |last2=Light |first2=Felix |date=March 10, 2025 |title=Russian soldiers creep through gas pipeline to strike Ukrainian forces in Kursk, bloggers say |trans-title= |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/544286/russian-soldiers-creep-through-gas-pipeline-to-strike-ukrainian-forces-in-kursk-bloggers-say |url-access= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250313004905/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/544286/russian-soldiers-creep-through-gas-pipeline-to-strike-ukrainian-forces-in-kursk-bloggers-say |archive-date=March 13, 2025 |publisher=RNZ |lang=en}}{{cite web |last=Kurmanaev |first=Anatoly |date=March 11, 2025 |title=Russia Begins Assault on Ukrainian-Occupied Town in Kursk Region |trans-title= |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/11/world/europe/ukraine-sudzha-russian-forces.html |url-access= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250315085417/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/11/world/europe/ukraine-sudzha-russian-forces.html |archive-date=March 15, 2025 |publisher=The New York Times |lang=en}}{{Importance inline|date=March 2025}}

• {{ cite web | first= | last= | title=How Apti Alaudinov Planned Russian Troops Death Defying Kursk Pipeline Mission | lang=en | trans-title= | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q0BOtBACCs | publisher=Times Now World on Youtube | date=March 11, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250312085338/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q0BOtBACCs | url-status=live | archive-date=March 12, 2025 | url-access= }}

• {{ cite web | first= | last= | title=Russian media shows soldiers launching attack on Ukrainian units in Kursk region from gas pipeline | lang=en | trans-title= | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXgU3U0Sw_c | publisher=Kanal13 on Youtube | date=March 11, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250316021537/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXgU3U0Sw_c | url-status=live | archive-date=March 16, 2025 | url-access= }}

{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Flow, Operation}}

Category:March 2025 in Russia

Category:Military operations of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2025

Category:History of Kursk Oblast

Category:Northern front of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Category:Tunnel warfare