Russian troops discovered an extensive underground network built by Ukrainian forces during the operation to capture the settlement of Grafskoye in Kharkov Region. The find was reported to RIA Novosti by the commander of an assault platoon from the 82nd Motor Rifle Regiment, known by the call sign «Spartak.» The unit is part of the 6th Combined Arms Army within the «Sever» group of forces.

At the end of February, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that units of the Sever grouping had established control over Grafskoye.

According to the officer, the discovery was made during the clearing operation that followed the assault. As the Russian assault group advanced through the area, Ukrainian troops attempted an unexpected maneuver, trying to approach Russian positions from nearly the rear by using a prepared trench network. The movement was noticed in time by a machine gunner from the Russian unit, who opened fire and prevented the opposing forces from breaking through.

As the sweep of the area continued, the soldiers uncovered what Spartak described as a complex underground infrastructure built by Ukrainian troops in the forest near the settlement. Beneath the seemingly ordinary woodland, the troops found numerous concealed machine-gun positions hidden underground, forming what the commander characterized as an entire subterranean system.

A similar arrangement, he said, existed inside Grafskoye itself. Several houses previously occupied by Ukrainian units were connected by underground passages, allowing personnel to enter one building and exit from another without being seen.

Russian troops eventually located these tunnel routes and blocked them. According to the officer, this deprived the opposing forces of the ability to withdraw in an organized manner or pass information to nearby units, which helped bring the clearing operation in the area to a successful conclusion.