Ukrainian forces say Russia forced civilians through gas pipeline near Kupiansk
Ukraine's National Guard 'Khartiia' brigade says Russian forces led civilians, including children and elderly people, through the 'Shebelinka — Ostrohozsk' gas pipeline out of the Kupiansk community in Kharkiv Oblast on September 27. Ukrainian soldiers observed the group but did not open fire because civilians were present, and the material is being documented for a war crimes investigation. 'Khartiia' warned the footage could later be framed by Russian media as an 'evacuation'.
Key points
- On September 27, drones of the 2nd Corps of the National Guard 'Khartiia' recorded Russian troops escorting civilians out of the Kupiansk community through a gas pipeline.
- The group was led from Kupiansk through the village of Holubivka to the 'Shebelinka — Ostrohozsk' pipeline and forced inside.
- Video shows nine people including children, elderly people, and one person on crutches, with men in civilian clothes nearby likely Russian soldiers who had removed uniforms.
- Children and elderly people walked more than 10 kilometers inside the pipe, which exits into a forest from where they are likely to be taken to occupied territory.
- Russian forces filmed the group along the entire route.
- Ukrainian soldiers observed the group but did not open fire because civilians were present.
- Ukrainian forces documented the incident and said the materials would be handed over for a war crimes investigation.
- 'Khartiia' warned the footage could appear in Russian media framed as an 'evacuation' or 'rescue of civilians'.
- The 'Shebelinka — Ostrohozsk' pipeline is used by Russian forces to covertly bring assault troops into Kupiansk, according to 'Khartiia'.
Why it matters
The incident, as described by Ukrainian forces, involves the alleged forced movement of children and elderly civilians through a gas pipeline toward likely occupied territory, which 'Khartiia' characterized as a crime under international law. The same pipeline is reported to be used by Russian forces to covertly move assault troops into Kupiansk, raising concerns about dual military and coercive use of the route. Ukrainian forces observed the group but did not engage militarily because civilians were present, documenting the incident for a war crimes investigation.
What happened
On September 27, reconnaissance drones of the 2nd Corps of the National Guard 'Khartiia' recorded Russian military personnel escorting civilians out of the Kupiansk community in Kharkiv Oblast. The group was led from Kupiansk through the village of Holubivka to the 'Shebelinka — Ostrohozsk' gas pipeline and forced inside. Video shows nine people including children, elderly people, and one person on crutches, with men in civilian clothes walking alongside them who 'Khartiia' said were most likely Russian soldiers who had removed their uniforms. Children and elderly people were made to walk more than 10 kilometers inside the pipe, which exits into a forest from where the people are likely to be taken to occupied territory. Russian troops filmed the civilians along the whole route. Ukrainian military saw the group but did not open fire because civilians, including children and elderly people, were present. Ukrainian forces documented the incident and said the materials would be handed over for a war crimes investigation. 'Khartiia' warned that the footage could soon appear in Russian media labeled as 'evacuation' or 'rescue of civilians', accompanied by interviews with pro-Russian locals, and described Russia's actions as crimes under international law. 'Khartiia' also said the pipeline is used by Russian forces to covertly bring assault troops into the city.
Where reporting differs
Sources differ on the number of civilians forced through the pipeline: one fact states nine people including children, elderly people, and one person on crutches, while the event statement synthesizes eleven people.
Background
In early March 2025, Russian assault troops were reported to have penetrated toward Sudzha in Kursk Oblast through the 'Urengoy — Pomary — Uzhhorod' gas pipeline, and Ukrainian paratroopers under officer Myroslav Hai were said to have collapsed the pipe's exit to prevent the enemy group's evacuation. In September 2025, the 429th Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment 'Achilles' reported that Russian forces had reached the northern outskirts of Kupiansk through an underground gas pipe; Ukrainian forces initially damaged the pipe and later, in December 2025, reported destroying it.