Russian soldiers sneaked through the pipeline to attack the rear of the Avdeevka citadel.

A Russian reconnaissance team sneaked through a pipeline and suddenly attacked deep inside Avdeevka, before being pushed out of the area by Ukrainian forces.

Russia’s RusVesna website reported on January 23 that Russian infantry forces were present in many places south of Avdeevka, Ukraine’s defensive stronghold in the eastern Donetsk province. Among them, a Russian reconnaissance unit conducted a daring infiltration operation to penetrate deep into Ukraine’s defense lines.

According to Russian reconnaissance unit commanders, their intelligence forces discovered a large underground pipeline leading to the Ukrainian stronghold of Tsarskaya Okhota, located south of the city of Avdeevka. The first attempt to penetrate through this pipeline failed due to lack of oxygen, forcing Russian forces to create additional vents.

A subsequent flood submerged the pipeline, preventing the Russian reconnaissance unit from carrying out its infiltration plan. Only a few days ago, when the waters receded, did the Russian forces push forward with their offensive operation.

They followed the pipeline, using the sound of surrounding artillery and mortar fire to cut into the pipe and dig an opening at Tsarskaya Okhota. Russian forces then raided the Ukrainian rear, cutting off the forward defenses south of Avdeevka and taking a group of prisoners.

Russian artillery attacked Ukrainian positions in November 2023. Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense — Russian artillery attacked Ukrainian positions in November 2023. Photo: *Russian Ministry of Defense*

Vitaliy Barabash, the Ukrainian-appointed mayor of Avdeevka, confirmed on January 24 that a Russian reconnaissance group had entered the southern part of the city but had been driven out. "The situation in Avdeevka is difficult, but under the control of the Ukrainian armed forces," Barabash said.

Mr. Barabash declined to say when the Russian units entered Avdeevka or how long they remained in the city. According to him, about 1,100 civilians are holding out in Avdeevka. Before the fighting, Avdeevka had a population of about 32,000.

The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said on January 23 that Russian units had also entered Stepovoye, a village northwest of Avdeevka. This is the area where Ukrainian media reported a battle between two M2 Bradley armored vehicles and a Russian T-90M tank.

"Russian and Ukrainian sources report that local fighting is taking place in the northwest, southwest, south and outskirts of Avdeevka," ISW said. "Units of the Russian 80th Guards Tank Regiment and the 20th Viking Special Forces Group are engaged in fighting in the direction of Avdeevka."

Since 2014, the Ukrainian army has built many bunkers and fortifications, turning the city of Avdeevka into a fortress right next to the capital of Donetsk province of the same name. Russian forces are launching a large-scale attack on Avdeevka and have surrounded the city on three sides, leaving Ukraine with only supply routes from the west.

Capturing Avdeevka would extend the Russian army's frontline by 50-60 km, creating a gateway from the capital Donetsk to other cities such as Konstantinovka in the north, moving closer to its goal of complete control over Donetsk province.

Russia may have lost hundreds of combat vehicles in its attempt to storm Avdeevka. According to US intelligence, about 13,000 Russian servicemen were killed or wounded in the operation.