Russian special forces reportedly used a gas pipeline to infiltrate Ukrainian positions in the Kursk region, attacking from behind near the town of Sudzha.

This follows Ukraine’s earlier cross-border incursion into Kursk in August, where they captured significant territory, including Sudzha.

While Ukrainian forces initially gained ground, they are now facing intense assaults from Russian troops, including some from North Korea, risking encirclement, the Associated Press has reported.

The Russian military claims to have captured four villages near Sudzha, but Ukraine’s military asserts that Russian special forces are being detected and repelled with heavy losses.

Written by B.C. Begley