By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Russian forces are increasingly employing underground pipelines to bypass Ukrainian defenses, a tactic first utilized in the battle for Avdiivka in January 2024. Soldiers have used decommissioned gas pipelines to infiltrate Ukrainian positions, though the method comes at a high cost, with reports of suffocation and casualties within the pipes. While Ukraine has confirmed the use of this tactic in Kupiansk and Sudzha, they are attempting to counter it by flooding or demolishing the pipelines and deploying barbed wire. Experts emphasize the need for systematic defenses and a thorough understanding of local engineering networks to mitigate this unconventional threat.
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Suicides and suffocation – the stark realities emerge as Russia attempts a horrifying maneuver, sending troops into gas pipelines to circumvent Ukrainian defenses. It’s a strategy born of desperation, a gambit that elevates the already brutal nature of this conflict to new depths of inhumanity. The very idea, the implementation, and the consequences paint a grim picture of disregard for human life, a testament to the depravity driving this war. It’s hard to process that this is even happening, a modern-day army resorting to tactics that belong in the darkest corners of history.
The immediate image that comes to mind, the sheer horror of it all, is the soldiers trapped within these pipelines. The comments suggest a range of outcomes, none of them pleasant. We’re talking about crawling through confined spaces, potentially for extended periods, with minimal oxygen. Natural gas, which is often present in pipelines, is toxic and can quickly lead to suffocation. This isn’t a quick, clean death; it’s a slow, agonizing descent into hypoxia, where the body is starved of oxygen, and the mind follows suit, potentially leading to erratic behavior and, tragically, suicide. The soldiers who survive these journeys are left with severe lung problems, a constant reminder of the ordeal they endured. It’s a fate worse than death for many, a living nightmare.
The reports indicate that Ukraine is aware of this strategy. It seems that they are attempting to block exits and razor-wire the ends, and in some cases, they’ve even flooded the pipes. The outcome is horrific. This isn’t a Trojan Horse, it’s more akin to a Brazen Bull, a method designed to inflict maximum suffering. Those caught in this trap face an almost certain death by drowning or suffocation. The mental and physical toll this takes on the soldiers involved is beyond comprehension.
It’s evident that this isn’t a one-off incident. The comments suggest that this tactic has been attempted multiple times, with each attempt resulting in a failure, adding to the tragedy. If it’s not working, it’s a clear indication that Russia is willing to throw its own troops into the meat grinder in a desperate attempt to gain some kind of advantage.
The sheer lack of basic equipment highlights the desperation of the situation. The thought that they don’t have emergency oxygen, or even the basic supplies to do something even remotely safe, is shocking. This indicates a level of mismanagement and disregard for the soldiers’ lives that’s almost beyond belief. The soldiers are being treated as expendable resources. The conditions are such that it’s a matter of when, not if, they will suffer a horrific end.
The comments also touch on the issue of desertion, noting the high number of soldiers who have abandoned their posts. The incentives are quite compelling: money, and protection. This speaks volumes about the morale within the Russian military. It’s clear that many soldiers are not happy with the situation. The war has already seen the death of many soldiers, and the continued use of this pipeline strategy is only adding to the growing desertion numbers.
This isn’t just about the immediate danger; it’s about the long-term consequences. The physical damage, lung problems, potential for PTSD, and the mental scars will linger for years to come. And the cleanup is an equally grim picture. The image of clearing the bodies of fallen Russian soldiers from these pipes after the war is over is a depressing one.
The use of this pipeline strategy is a sign of failure, a desperate attempt to overcome the resistance of the Ukrainian military. It is a clear signal that Russian military strategy has failed, it’s a desperate move that highlights the brutality of the conflict. The whole thing is a horrific display of disregard for human life, a tragic consequence of a war that should never have started.