Oleksiyivka area, Russian Rossiya Segodnya journalist Igor Lapik interviewed a company commander of the 98th Airborne Division, who was known as "Rama." Rama stated that the Ukrainian forces had established a strict defense line along the North Donets River-Donbas Canal. However, part of the Donbas Canal is in the form of large pipes, and the paratroopers of the 98th Airborne Division launched a surprise attack through the pipes under the cover of fog, successfully breaking through the Ukrainian defense line.
In the Donbas region, the "North Donets River-Donbas Canal" is an important water conservancy project and military defensive barrier. The canal was built during the Soviet era, mainly for agricultural irrigation and industrial water supply, and some sections use a large pipe water conveyance system.
In the Russia-Ukraine conflict, due to its width (up to 40 meters in some sections) and the fortifications along the banks, this canal became a core component of the "Oleksiyivka defense line" built by the Ukrainian forces. In the summer offensive of 2025, Russian forces successfully broke through this canal obstacle by taking advantage of natural meteorological conditions (fog), creating a key opportunity to liberate the city of Oleksiyivka.
Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1839409956991385/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.