Russians have begun digging underground tunnels in the Kherson region to get closer to the Ukrainian Armed Forces

The Russian Federation’s army has begun constructing a labyrinth of underground tunnels on the occupied left bank of the Kherson region. In this way, the occupiers aim to covertly move their troops and sneak up on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

This was reported by Krym. Realii. 

The publication cites Alim Kerimov, chief of staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ 34th Separate Marine Brigade. According to him, the Russians have shifted to a hybrid offensive strategy. 

In particular, as the military official noted, the occupiers are actively digging underground tunnels in areas where the Ukrainian Armed Forces control the airspace and prevent them from reaching their positions by land. He said that sections of the enemy’s underground tunnels in the Kherson region account for 20–30% of the entire Left Bank.

The tunnels resemble a system of labyrinths up to 150 meters long.

Kerimov explained that the Russians understand it is impossible to advance on foot. That is precisely why they are resorting to building tunnels. According to the military official, the occupiers are partially succeeding in this endeavor.

“All these shelters, all these tunnels are destroyed as soon as they’re discovered, because this is such painstaking work,” Kerimov said.

He also noted that the Russians’ tunnel system isn’t very extensive. According to him, there are sections where the occupiers run, try to move forward, and then enter a tunnel.

“We’re familiar with this pattern, and we’re working on it day and night. These are short distances—50, 100, up to 150 meters, for example—it’s just laid out like a maze, that’s all,” the military officer explained.

According to Kerimov, the enemy has shifted to a more positional hybrid war because it realizes that all its attempts or offensive operations end in failure. 

Юлія Калабайда