Inside Russia-Outside Russia is a news insight by the Federation of Russian Embassy in Bangladesh on 13.03.25
INSIDE RUSSIA
Putin praises troops behind secret ‘pipeline operation’
Moscow’s swift offensive in the Kursk Region, including the now-famous Potok (“Flow”) operation, has left Kiev’s forces in complete disarray
Moscow’s swift offensive in the Kursk Region, including the now-famous Potok (“Flow”) operation, has helped cut Ukrainian supply lines, leaving Kiev’s forces nearly encircled and in disarray, Russian President Vladimir Putin was told during a visit to a command post in the area on Wednesday.
Russia has recently intensified its counteroffensive in the Kursk Region, which was invaded by Ukrainian forces in August 2024. Reporting to the commander-in-chief on the operation’s progress, Chief of the General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov highlighted the “heroic actions” of the combined assault unit of the Veterans volunteer detachment.
“The assault team of this combined formation, numbering more than 600 people, used a gas transmission pipe to cover a distance of about 15 kilometers and infiltrate the combat formations of the armed forces of Ukraine,” Gerasimov reported.
The clandestine raid, dubbed by the media as Operation Potok (“Flow”), marked a shift from the prolonged positional phase in Kursk. A specially trained unit infiltrated Ukrainian positions by moving through an abandoned gas pipeline that once transported Russian gas to Europe until Kiev shut it down on January 1, 2025.
“These actions came as a surprise to the enemy and contributed to the collapse of its defenses and the development of our offensive in the Kursk Region,” Gerasimov added.
Putin praised the Veterans, which included personnel from the 11th Airborne Assault Brigade, the 30th Motorized Rifle Regiment, and the Akhmat special forces detachment, for their “audacity and efficiency.” He also commended more than a dozen other units and detachments participating in the liberation of the Kursk Region.
The pipeline mission was carefully planned for months and executed in early March. The journey through the pipeline was arduous, as soldiers spent several days navigating the confined, poorly ventilated space. Oxygen supply was a major concern, with residual gas in the pipeline making breathing difficult. Engineering teams installed makeshift ventilation systems and drilled air holes to provide relief. Fighters moved in small groups, spaced out to maintain a steady flow of oxygen, while supplies such as water and essential equipment were transported on carts.
After days of waiting near exit points, Russian forces launched their assault on March 8. Exiting through pre-prepared openings, they quickly took control of key positions. Ukrainian forces, caught off guard, attempted resistance but were either eliminated or forced to flee, abandoning equipment and supplies. Russian reinforcements, including armored vehicles, soon arrived to consolidate gains.
This was not the first time Russian forces employed pipeline infiltration tactics. A similar method was used in January 2024, when Russian scouts infiltrated Ukrainian positions in Avdeevka, Donetsk People’s Republic, via an abandoned pipeline.
Putin issues warning to foreign mercenaries
Mercenaries are not protected by international norms to the same extent as regular soldiers, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said
Foreign mercenaries fighting for Kiev should be aware that they do not have the same legal protections under international law as regular Ukrainian combatants, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a visit to Kursk Region.
Speaking at a meeting with the Russian General Staff and military commanders on Wednesday, the president stated that any Ukrainian soldier or foreign mercenary captured on Russian soil can be “treated as a terrorist under Russian law.”
“All people who commit crimes against the civilian population on the territory of the Kursk Region, confront our Armed Forces, law enforcement agencies and special services, are terrorists in accordance with the laws of the Russian Federation,” Putin said. “This is how the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office and the Investigative Committee qualify their actions.”
Putin stressed that Russia “treats and will treat all people humanely,” including prisoners of war (POWs), but warned that mercenaries lack the same legal status as regular troops.
“I still want to remind you that foreign mercenaries are not protected by the 1949 Geneva Convention on POWs,” the Russian leader said.
The border region faced a major incursion by Ukraine in August 2024, and Russian troops have been gradually pushing them back in an operation that has intensified in recent weeks. In liberated areas, Russian investigators have found evidence of Ukrainian troops committing rape, torture, and murder against civilians during the occupation.
Foreign mercenaries have also played an active role in Ukraine’s incursions, according to the Russian authorities, who have warned that any troops supporting Kiev will be considered “legitimate targets.”
Under the Third Geneva Convention, regular combatants fighting for a recognized party in a conflict are granted protections if captured by the opposing side. POW status guarantees access to shelter, food, medical care, and protection from hostilities, as well as safeguards against violence, intimidation, and degrading treatment. They also cannot be prosecuted simply for taking part in hostilities unless they have committed war crimes.
However, Article 47 of Additional Protocol I to the convention explicitly excludes mercenaries from being classified as regular combatants, meaning they are not entitled to POW status.
The Russian authorities have consistently prosecuted foreign mercenaries fighting for Kiev. In January, a Russian court sentenced retired US Army Ranger Patrick Creed to 13 years in prison for serving with the Ukrainian from 2022 to 2023. In March, British citizen James Scott Rhys Anderson was sentenced to 19 years behind bars by a Russian court after being convicted of crimes against civilians in Kursk Region.
Russia increased migrant expulsions in 2024 – Interior Ministry
Moscow has been enforcing stricter laws for foreigners in the country since a major terrorist attack last year
The number of foreign nationals expelled from Russia reached 190,000 last year, nearly a third more than in 2023, Interior Ministry spokeswoman Irina Volk announced on Wednesday. The country adopted stricter migration laws following a foreign-organized terrorist attack on a concert venue outside Moscow in March 2024, in which four gunmen killed 145 people and injured over 500 others.
The jihadist group ISIS-K, the Afghan branch of Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS), claimed responsibility for the attack, which was carried out by Tajik nationals. Many of those suspected of aiding the attackers were also foreign nationals from Central Asia, some with prior criminal records.
The number of foreigners expelled from the country in 2024 due to law violations jumped by 45% compared to 2023, Volk said in a statement on her Telegram channel. The official added that the ministry issued over 267,000 orders of entry denial, up 54% from the previous year.
“Additionally, the number of issued temporary residence permits halved, while the number of permanent residence permits dropped by almost a quarter,” Volk said, emphasizing that the drop is attributed to stricter control measures aimed at “detecting and preventing cases of foreign citizens abusing the right to obtain such statuses through a simplified procedure.”
In December, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree requiring illegal migrants to either legalize their status or leave Russia by April 30, 2025.
Last year, several new laws were enacted to monitor illegal migration through a register of “controlled persons.” Additionally, starting February 5, 2025, the expulsion of undocumented foreigners no longer requires a court ruling.
Organizing illegal migration has now been classified as a particularly serious offense. Penalties include the confiscation of financial assets or property acquired through human trafficking. The measure aims to eliminate economic incentives for criminals and disrupt illegal migration networks.
OUTSIDE RUSSIA
Russia will never betray China
Moscow will honor all its commitments to Beijing, unlike the West in its promises to the USSR, the foreign minister has asserted
Russia deeply values its relationship with China and is committed to fulfilling all obligations to its partner, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.
In an interview with US podcasters conducted in English released on Wednesday, Russia’s top diplomat was asked to comment on claims that former President Joe Biden made a strategic blunder by pushing Russia closer to China, through Washington’s response to the Ukraine conflict.
“The Americans know that we would not betray our commitments, legal commitments, but also, you know, the political commitments which we develop with the Chinese,” the top diplomat assured. “We never had the relations with China which were that good, that confidential, that long-term build and that would be enjoying support of the peoples of both countries,” he said.
The interviewers suggested US President Donald Trump’s approach replicates President Richard Nixon’s historic 1972 rapprochement with China that ensured a continuation of the Sino-Soviet split.
Current circumstances are “radically different” from those of the 1970s, Lavrov insisted.
He contrasted Moscow’s adherence to its promises with the West’s breach of assurances made to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev that NATO would not expand eastward.
“Now they say that there is no legal obligation not to expand NATO. Fine, if you can only implement your promise by court then of course you need legal obligations all over you,” the minister said. “But if you are a person of dignity, a man of dignity, if you agreed on something by political commitment you have to deliver.”
Russia regards NATO’s presence on its border and the pledge to grant Ukraine membership as crucial factors in the ongoing conflict. The Trump administration has suggested that swiftly resolving the fighting in Ukraine could open avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation with Moscow. Lavrov expressed hope that a sense of normalcy would be restored to US-Russian relations, allowing the two nations to resolve their differences peacefully.
SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION IN UKRAINE
The battle for Kursk: How Russian soldiers crushed Ukrainian defenses in Sudzha
The rapid offensive, which sent the Ukrainian Armed Forces into flight, was a triumph for the Russian Army
Moscow’s decisive offensive in Kursk Region is entering its final stage, seven months after Ukraine launched a surprise attack and seized part of its territory. The situation bears resemblance to the events around Kharkov – on the other side of the border – in 2022, when Russia forces made a hasty retreat.
However, this time, the roles are reversed. The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) find themselves unable to contain the swift movements of Russian troops, chaotically backpedalling while their commander-in-chief describes the situation as a “planned regrouping to advantageous positions.”
The so-called Sudzha foothold – named after the eponymous town and long considered Kiev’s key bargaining chip with Moscow – is on the verge of collapse.
Background
Following the end of Ukraine’s surge in September 2024, hostilities entered a prolonged positional phase. The AFU transitioned to defense, gradually losing its foothold in Kursk Region while occasionally attempting to expand it. For the Russian Army, this remained a secondary concern; the AFU’s zone of control was already fragmented and did not pose an immediate threat. However, towards the end of 2024, Moscow’s primary focus remained on the Donbass front.
By January 2025, the fighting around Sudzha had intensified. Ukrainian forces attempted to reinforce their positions, but Russian troops adopted a well-honed strategy seen previously in Donbass: Encircle the enemy on three sides, cut off supply routes, and force their collapse through attrition. The turning point arrived in mid-February when Russian forces liberated Sverdlikovo and crossed the Loknya River, gaining access to the AFU’s main supply route from Sumy to Kursk.
Following the capture of Sverdlikovo, the situation for the Ukrainian forces deteriorated visibly. The enemy’s reports indicated the significant superiority of the Russian Army, and unlike their unbelievable claims about North Korean fighters, this assessment seemed credible
With Russian forces now operating on this Ukrainian soil, territorial borders have become irrelevant – military necessity dictates movement.
The Sudzha offensive
The active phase of the operation commenced on March 7. Russian troops struck Ukrainian supply lines and key crossings while launching multi-directional assaults. In a bold move, Moscow even conducted a raid toward the border in the south, cutting off a secondary supply road to Sudzha. While soldiers later withdrew from some forward positions, the incursion had already inflicted severe disruption on the enemy’s logistics.
Unlike the protracted battles in Donbass, which focus on attrition and gradual advances, the Sudzha operation prioritized speed, surprise, and the systematic destruction of Ukrainian supply networks. This approach culminated in the now-famous ‘pipeline operation’ on March 8, in which an 800-man Russian regiment severely disrupted the AFU’s logistical chain. By the end of the day, Russian forces had gained control over key industrial areas north and east of Sudzha.
Ukrainian forces attempted to retreat toward Sudzha in hopes of stabilizing defensive lines and extending the battle into a drawn-out engagement. However, by March 10, their collapse was evident. Units began chaotically retreating, with some fleeing toward the border and abandoning their equipment. By March 12, Russian forces had taken control of the industrial zone, suburbs, and Sudzha’s administrative center. While this map still shows areas under AFU control, in reality, they have already become a gray zone – likely to fall within days or even hours.
What comes next?
The pressing question now is whether the Russian Army will continue advancing beyond Sudzha into deeper Ukrainian territory. Since the conflict in Kursk began last August, the concept of borders has become increasingly irrelevant – military necessity dictates movements, not outdated territorial lines. Russian troops have already crossed the border multiple times during operations around Sudzha, and there is little to suggest they would hesitate to do so again if required.
The trajectory of Russian operations hinges on the outcome of ongoing diplomatic negotiations. If Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump reach a lasting peace agreement, it is likely that Russian forces will halt their advance at Sudzha, as Moscow has no territorial ambitions beyond Kursk Region. However, should hostilities escalate into a broader phase, the Russian military may shift its focus toward the outright defeat of the Ukrainian army and the dismantling of the current Kiev regime.
The coming weeks will be decisive. Either Ukraine capitulates under American pressure, or the conflict escalates into its next, and possibly final, phase.
Ukrainian forces encircled in Kursk Region
Eighty-six percent of Kursk Region earlier held by Kiev has been liberated, Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov said
Ukrainian forces in Kursk Region, western Russia, have been encircled and isolated, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said on Tuesday. He added that 86% of the territory has been liberated, and that the systematic destruction of enemy forces is underway.
Gerasimov reported on the situation in Kursk Region during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at one of the command posts in the area.
Over the past five days, Russia’s ‘North’ military grouping took control of 24 settlements and 259 square kilometers of territory, Gerasimov said. In certain areas, Russian forces have advanced and crossed into Ukraine’s Sumy Region.
He also said that the Ukrainian army suffered 67,000 casualties in the area.
Gerasimov added that in the nearest future Ukrainian troops would be defeated in Kursk and that Moscow’s forces would reach the border. He said that enemy soldiers were surrendering, with 430 prisoners already taken.
Putin stated that Ukrainian prisoners should be treated “as terrorists in accordance with Russian law.”
The visit came just hours after media reports about the liberation of Sudzha – the biggest city held by the Ukrainians in Kursk Region. Videos on social media appear to show Russian troops raising a flag in the city center. According to some reports, the fighting is ongoing in the western and northwestern outskirts of Sudzha.
Earlier this week, the Russian military recaptured 12 settlements and over 100 square kilometers of land in a surprise attack that also allowed them to retake Sudzha’s industrial zone. The operation was in preparation for months and involved around 800 soldiers walking several miles through an empty gas pipeline to infiltrate Ukrainian positions.
INSIGHTS
‘A ceasefire only benefits those who are retreating’: Russia’s top foreign relations experts and actors react to US-Ukraine talks
Russian politicians, journalists, and experts reacted to the news about the proposed 30-day ceasefire for Russia and Ukraine
Following high-level talks between US and Ukrainian delegations in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, two key developments have emerged. First, Russia has been pushed to agree to a 30-day ceasefire. Second, Washington has announced the resumption of military aid and intelligence support for Kiev. The latest round of negotiations has sparked widespread debate among Russian politicians, experts, and journalists. Here we examine the reactions and implications.
Fyodor Lukyanov, the editor-in-chief of Russia in Global Affairs:
The final statement of the [Ukrainian and American] delegations shows that the meeting in Saudi Arabia has gone according to the US plan. The White House aimed to pressure Ukraine into acknowledging the need to align with its demands for a swift cessation of hostilities (a full ceasefire rather than the partial one mentioned by Kiev). In return, Washington promised to resume military assistance to Ukraine, which was previously suspended: agree to a ceasefire, the US said, and you’ll get back what you had before.
There’s some ambiguity regarding the agreement on resources, which may need to be revised and approved. And there’s still no clarity on security guarantees for Ukraine. It seems both issues are still being considered, as negotiations continue. The suggestion that Europe should be involved in the peace process indicates that Ukraine won’t be left all alone.
Overall, Ukraine has swallowed its shame (and Zelensky’s humiliation) and capitulated by expressing “the Ukrainian people’s strong gratitude to President Trump, the US Congress, and the people of the United States for facilitating meaningful progress toward peace.” It didn’t express gratitude for US support, but rather for facilitating progress towards peace. As Rubio noted, the ball is now in Russia’s court, which aligns with US intentions. Ukraine has complied, and now, Russia is expected to enter the game.
US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz has hinted that there are certain undisclosed agreements, but for now, we can only speculate about them. If we focus on the published text, the proposal in its current form contradicts Moscow’s repeatedly stated position that no ceasefire will occur until the parameters of a comprehensive agreement ensuring lasting peace are established. In other words, the fighting will continue until a viable resolution is devised.
However, since the US publicly shifted its stance from being a side in the conflict to an assertive mediator (something Trump announced during his memorable meeting with Zelensky), it has become apparent that the dynamics have changed. The Roman numerals seem to have switched places: the XXI century looks more like the XIX century as personal diplomacy between monarchs takes center stage, overshadowing ideological commitments and even military achievements. The outcome will depend on their personal agreements or the lack thereof – in any case, we will soon see the result. As for the royal persons holding these discussions, it is clear whom we are talking about.
Vice Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev:
The outcome of the US-Ukraine talks in Jeddah reveals a clear truth: Zelensky’s attempts to make “the tail wag the dog” may have worked with Biden, but not with Trump.
The terms are set by the Americans, not the Ukrainians. The Ukrainians merely agree with what they are told, bowing and scraping. Just look at the absurdity of the following statement, “We’ll sign the resource agreement when it suits Washington”! Zelensky is backed into a corner. As White House press secretary said, “Trump put Zelensky in his place.”
Russian troops are advancing, and so, dealings with Russia will be different. Any agreements (and we recognize the need for compromises) will come on our terms, not America’s. This isn’t just bravado; it’s an acknowledgment that real agreements are still being forged on the front lines – a fact Washington should understand.
For now, the main thing is not to let any extraneous comments disturb US-Russia negotiations. Let the negotiators do their job. Victory will be ours.
Head of Rossotrudnichestvo Evgeny Primakov:
What’s ours is ours, and what’s yours – we’ll talk about that later. That’s pretty much Trump’s famous “art of the deal” in a nutshell. So, it’s hardly surprising that the proposed ceasefire in exchange for renewed military aid and intelligence for Ukraine comes off as blatant manipulation. But I believe the game is much more complex.
First, starting with a door-slam approach is simply unprofessional. As they say in Odessa, that’s not how business is done.
Secondly, let’s consider the pause that the Americans have subtly suggested. Nowhere did they explicitly state that they expect an immediate ceasefire from Russia. A special envoy from Trump, Steve Witkoff is heading to Moscow; the US announced plans for a phone call between Trump and our president, and new negotiations with Russian officials have been announced.
What might this indicate amidst the rapidly changing situation on the Kursk front, where our forces are driving out Ukrainian occupiers and liberating one settlement after another? Trump himself has mentioned that the Ukrainian forces are retreating, so it’s clear the White House understands what this pause means for the situation on the front. I suspect that the unstated part of this deal involves pushing Ukrainian forces out of Kursk region.
Thirdly, what is clear and directly follows from President Putin’s statements, is that we have very specific conditions for any peace agreement. A mere ceasefire won’t satisfy us; we need a resolution that addresses our interests and acknowledges the fundamental reasons behind the conflict.
These include Ukraine’s neutral status, the rights of ethnic Russians, and our territories in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Lugansk People’s Republic, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions. Under any circumstances, Ukraine must not pose a threat to Russia. This means we must prevent any risks of revanchism, which logically entails that Ukraine should not maintain offensive military capabilities or embrace an aggressive Nazi ideology aimed against Russia. Therefore, it will be necessary to dismantle several political and social institutions of the current Ukraine, and the education system must also be reformed. How willing is the US to include these issues in the negotiations? In any case, we have already outlined these conditions from our side.
And if we’re talking about dismantling Ukraine’s future military potential and ensuring its neutrality, then both these points completely contradict the idea of sending military supplies or placing NATO “peacekeepers” there.
Political analyst Sergey Markov:
Reasons why Russia might refuse a ceasefire:
1. A ceasefire would be exploited by the West and Ukraine to halt the advance of the Russian army, strip it of its initiative, supply the Ukrainian army with more weapons, continue extensive mobilization in Ukraine, and strengthen the repressive and anti-Russian nature of the Ukrainian political regime
2. The experience of the Minsk 1 and Minsk 2 agreements clearly demonstrates this pattern
3. The consistent dishonesty of Western politicians and media regarding the conflict, as well as their refusal to acknowledge their own and Ukraine’s culpability, strongly suggests that history will repeat itself
4. Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials have repeatedly stated that what Russia needs is lasting peace, not just a temporary ceasefire
5. The West cannot really be trusted
6. Russia is advancing. A ceasefire always benefits those who are retreating.
Journalist and VGTRK contributor Andrey Medvedev:
Here’s a proposed negotiation position: establishing a 30-day ceasefire, but Ukraine must guarantee free exit from the country for all categories of citizens.
Another requirement could be the withdrawal of all Ukrainian armed forces units beyond the borders of Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, along with the transfer of all territories to Russian authorities and the deployment of our military units. Essentially, this would align the situation on the ground with the norms of the Russian Constitution. They could pull back in a week and our troops could move in within another week, followed by two weeks for securing and fortifying the borders.
While we probably won’t see such a scenario unfold, it would be an ideal option. Because this kind of ceasefire would lead to irrevocable consequences for what remains of Ukraine. I know it’s not very probable, but it’s nice to dream.
Philosopher Alexander Dugin:
Trump is eager to end the war in Ukraine because his opponents from the Deep State have regrouped and launched a massive counterattack against him and Elon Musk. However, he has no clear plan on how to achieve this; he is simply not ready to withdraw from the war unilaterally yet. This is precisely the trap laid by the Democrats. Without resolving the Ukraine issue, Trump risks getting increasingly bogged down. That’s the swamp for you.
A ceasefire is not a serious proposition, especially when Ukraine is clearly starting to lose. But it will take time for everything to fall into place.
Valentin Bogdanov, Head of VGTRK Bureau in New York:
What does a 30-day ceasefire really mean? This is where things get tricky. Waltz claims that Ukraine is supposedly ready for peace. The problem is that in Kiev, the word “peace” often comes with various adjectives (the most popular being “just”) that twist it into something Orwellian – a peace that quickly turns into war. This was evident the night before the negotiations, as Moscow faced a massive drone attack, which was followed by the good news of the liberation of Sudzha. For the Armed Forces of Ukraine, taking a 30-day pause to recover from setbacks in Kursk region is an ideal strategy, especially considering their experience in undermining numerous other ceasefires since 2014. This is particularly true if America continues to send weapons and provide intelligence support to Ukraine.
Does Trump understand this? He probably does. That’s why, asserting control at this interim stage, he first states that it takes two to tango (once again excluding Ukraine) and then indicates that he will soon call Putin. According to Trump, the Russian leader giving his agreement to the US offer would bring the parties “75% of the way”, and dealing with Russia is “easier”. However, success doesn’t come from nowhere; an agreement still needs to be reached. Therefore, a subsequent round of negotiations is expected in Moscow, where, according to Axios, special envoy Witkoff is about to arrive.
Washington has yet to present any concrete proposals. Moreover, discussing proposals with subordinate proxies (an accurate description of the Kiev regime based on Rubio’s recent comments on the nature of the Ukraine conflict) is hardly productive. Given that Russia’s fundamental conditions are well-known – chiefly, lasting peace that considers our interests and demands – it’s clear that achieving such peace requires addressing the root causes of the conflict.
If Trump manages to resolve these issues within 30 days, that would be fantastic. In three days it would be even better; three hours would be nothing short of spectacular. But there’s also a chance he might not succeed at all. In that case, the ball – which Rubio has confidently claimed is now in Russia’s court – could easily turn into a weight dragging him and Trump down.
