Wars are often fought as much on supply lines as on battlefields.
Disrupting a steady flow of resources can be as impactful as a direct assault. In the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, these tactics are playing a significant role in shaping the fight.
Recent events in the Zaporizhzhia region illustrate just how critical such operations can be, according to Ziare.
On December 14, Ukrainian forces executed a daring mission that dealt a heavy blow to Russian logistics. A train carrying 40 fuel tankers through Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia was destroyed in a coordinated attack.
The operation, confirmed by Ukrainian intelligence sources, targeted a key supply route used to transport fuel from Crimea to Russian forces in the region.
Struck Train Locomotive
The mission was carried out by multiple Ukrainian agencies, including the Security Service (SBU), Military Intelligence (HUR), and Special Operations Forces (SSO).
It began with a sabotage effort to damage railway tracks near the village of Oleksiivka in the Bilmak district. This derailed the train as it moved along the line, causing several tankers to catch fire.
But Ukraine didn’t stop there. Using HIMARS rocket systems, its forces struck the train’s locomotive and the outermost tankers. This prevented Russian troops from salvaging the fuel or clearing the wreckage.
The attack resulted in the complete destruction of the locomotive and all 40 fuel tanks, rendering the railway inoperable and cutting off a crucial supply line.
This is not the first time Ukraine has used such tactics in the region. In November, a partisan group reportedly sabotaged another railway line in Zaporizhzhia.
These disruptions come as Ukrainian forces bolster defenses near the city, anticipating a possible Russian offensive. Local authorities, including Mayor Oleksandr Fedorov, have confirmed the construction of extensive fortifications.
