On our BRICS-focused channel, we typically steer clear of military conflicts. After all, we are not military personnel, experts, or individuals with direct ties to the armed forces. However, today, we feel compelled to break from tradition. The events of recent days have stirred a profound sense of pride among Russians, reminding us once again of the extraordinary courage and resilience of these people.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, now entering its fourth year, continues to reverberate across the globe. It is a tragic tale of two brotherly nations, bound by centuries of shared history, now tragically divided by war. For many in Russia, this conflict feels like a Civil War—Russians pitted against Russians. The emotional weight of this reality is hard to put into words.
This sentiment is particularly acute in the historically Russian Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops, bolstered by mercenaries from around the world, have established a presence. For Russians, this is a painful echo of 1941, a reminder of past struggles and sacrifices.
A Strategic Breakthrough in Sudzha
On the morning of March 8, reports began circulating across specialized channels and resources about a significant breakthrough by Russian forces in the Kursk region. One of our units had reportedly advanced to the area of Sudzha, deep behind enemy lines. Sudzha is no ordinary town—it is home to a critical gas distribution station that once pumped Russian natural gas to Europe. However, since January 1 of this year, Ukraine has halted gas transit through its territory, bringing the "Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod" pipeline, operational since 1984, to a standstill.
What followed was a mission so audacious and perilous that its details, revealed two days later, left the world in awe.
The Mission: A Test of Human Limits
Imagine crawling nearly 16 kilometers through a narrow, muddy tunnel just 1.45 meters in diameter, filled with toxic fumes from residual liquefied gas. Picture sitting in that suffocating space for days, waiting for the command to attack, while breathing in a noxious mix of methane, excrement, and the vomit of comrades who had already succumbed to poisoning. With food and water running low, and the enemy closer than their own forces, these soldiers faced unimaginable physical and psychological challenges. Yet, they persevered—without losing their minds, without succumbing to panic or claustrophobia. Their actions transcended the limits of human endurance, earning them a place in the annals of military history.
A warrior enters every battle prepared to die. But this was no ordinary battle. This was a journey into the unknown, undertaken with the full knowledge that it might end in death—not in the heat of combat, but in the cold, dark confines of a tunnel.
The Preparation: A Colossal Undertaking
According to the operation's commander, the mission was meticulously planned over three weeks. Extensive preparations were made: residual gas was pumped out and replaced with oxygen, exits to the surface were prepared, and storage areas for personnel, ammunition, food, water, and even toilets were set up. Over 800 individuals participated in the operation, each playing a crucial role in its execution.
When the command was finally given, the unit burst onto the surface, catching the enemy completely off guard. Ukrainian forces, disoriented and panicked, were quickly pushed back. "Thanks to this maneuver, many villages were liberated," explained one of the commanders of the "Vostok" Air Assault Brigade. "The enemy never expected us to appear in their rear."
The Human Cost: A One-Way Journey
In the days leading up to the operation, brief messages were exchanged among the soldiers:
"There may be no communication for a while. Perhaps we are now on a one-way road. A suicide squad…"
"The guys knew what they were doing. They knew they were walking to their deaths. But they went. Voluntarily…"
"This may be a crazy plan, but we have no other option. It has to work."
These men marched forward, fully aware that they might not return. They operated in complete secrecy, unable to say goodbye to their loved ones or explain their absence. Their sacrifice was a testament to their unwavering commitment to their mission and their country.
A Legacy of Heroism
The heroic deeds of these ordinary Russian soldiers will undoubtedly be remembered for generations to come. Their story will be immortalized in history books, military strategy manuals, films, and literature. Yet, no retelling can fully capture the bone-chilling terror experienced by those who waited behind, left to wonder and worry without certainty.
Such is the path of those who choose to serve—a path marked by sacrifice, courage, and an unyielding sense of duty. Their actions remind us that heroism is not defined by the absence of fear, but by the ability to rise above it.
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