By John Q. Hosedrinker 
On September 13–14, Ukrainian special units conducted coordinated sabotage operations against Russian railway infrastructure in the Oryol and Leningrad regions, targeting vital supply routes. Attacks on the Orel–Kursk railway line resulted in the deaths of two Russian servicemen, while an attack on the St. Petersburg–Pskov line caused the derailment and destruction of 15 fuel tankers. The Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) and Special Operations Forces (SSO) were reportedly involved in these joint operations, which significantly hampered Russia’s ability to supply troops on the Kharkiv and Sumy fronts. These actions followed an earlier Ukrainian drone strike on the Kirishi Oil Refinery near St. Petersburg.
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Ukraine Reportedly Blows Up Russian Rail Lines, Wipes Out Fuel Trains Supplying the Front: It’s about time someone started their own sanctions, isn’t it? Seems like the most effective way to get the job done, especially when you’re dealing with a war that’s dragging on. And in this context, hitting the rail lines appears to be a masterstroke of strategy. Trains are the ultimate high-value targets. You can repair rails in a day, but replacing engines and rolling stock? That’s a whole different ball game.
Ukraine Reportedly Blows Up Russian Rail Lines, Wipes Out Fuel Trains Supplying the Front: I’m honestly amazed at the audacity and skill of the Ukrainian special forces. To think of them traversing so far into Russia with heavy explosives, seemingly undetected. It’s hard to fathom how they manage it. They’re not being dropped in by helicopter, parachuting, or gliding in, from what I can gather. They must be traveling overland, and every single moment must be filled with the constant worry of detection and capture. It’s a testament to their courage, absolutely astounding.
Ukraine Reportedly Blows Up Russian Rail Lines, Wipes Out Fuel Trains Supplying the Front: It’s a clear and simple directive: starve the beast. Let the Russian forces be deprived of what they need to function and advance. And it’s particularly heartening to see Ukraine being so innovative and resourceful, especially considering how little they can rely on the US to provide any real help anymore. Logistics wins wars, and no trains, no fuel… that makes any kind of advance nearly impossible. Keep hammering those refineries too.
Ukraine Reportedly Blows Up Russian Rail Lines, Wipes Out Fuel Trains Supplying the Front: This is how a successful attack looks. Reports indicate that Ukrainian special forces struck Russian rail lines in Oryol and Leningrad on September 13–14. Explosions in Oryol killed two Russian engineers and halted over fifteen trains. In Leningrad, a derailment destroyed fifteen fuel tankers and caused a major fire. These lines are critical for supplying Russian troops on the Kharkiv and Sumy fronts, making this a significant blow to their operations.
Ukraine Reportedly Blows Up Russian Rail Lines, Wipes Out Fuel Trains Supplying the Front: Considering Ukraine’s history as the main R&D hub of the former USSR, it’s hardly a surprise they’re excelling at this. They have a long tradition of innovation, thinking outside the box, and making the best of what they have at hand. It’s a shame that the war had to start in the first place.
Ukraine Reportedly Blows Up Russian Rail Lines, Wipes Out Fuel Trains Supplying the Front: Here is the reality. If you want to get something done, you have to speak the language Putin understands. Zelenskyy has referred to these operations as “direct sanctions,” which I find a fitting description. Bridges and other large structures are more difficult to fix. Let the enemy repair the rails, and then hit them again. The vast border gives Ukraine many opportunities.
Ukraine Reportedly Blows Up Russian Rail Lines, Wipes Out Fuel Trains Supplying the Front: The Ukrainian military is incredibly effective inside Russia. Many Ukrainians speak Russian, and they’re intimately familiar with Russian culture. Up until the last decade or so, their militaries operated under similar structures and procedures. You couldn’t find a better group to infiltrate Russia. It’s like if Canadians were infiltrating the USA. It’s the perfect scenario for this type of operation.
Ukraine Reportedly Blows Up Russian Rail Lines, Wipes Out Fuel Trains Supplying the Front: Why now? Why this concerted effort to target rail resources? Well, it’s not just about destroying a shipment or eliminating a locomotive. It’s a message. The message is simple. The Russian winter is coming. And we all remember what the Russian winter did to Napoleon and Hitler. It’s not only a matter of equipment being destroyed; it is also a matter of morale. Armies march on food, fuel, and ammunition. The trains are about to stop running.
Ukraine Reportedly Blows Up Russian Rail Lines, Wipes Out Fuel Trains Supplying the Front: I’m skeptical about seeing old steam locomotives coming out of storage. The Soviet Union rarely had surpluses of resources. Steel is one of the most recycled materials on Earth. I’d bet we see the Russians using donkeys to pull fuel tanks. It is unlikely they even have the skills to get steam engines running.
Ukraine Reportedly Blows Up Russian Rail Lines, Wipes Out Fuel Trains Supplying the Front: There is no doubt that steam engines need to be babied for a few hours to get them running properly. Ukraine is doing what we won’t do ourselves.