Ukraine’s military intelligence service, GUR, is reportedly involved in acts of sabotage against Russia. An explosion in Ryazan and a fire at a gunpowder factory in Tambov have garnered international attention.
A recent report by the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggests that Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Military Intelligence (GUR) might have been involved in at least one of three attacks on Russian territory on November 10 and 11. Specifically, the GUR is believed to be responsible for an explosion in the Ryazan Oblast, which led to the derailment of 19 freight train cars. Ukrainian media, citing intelligence sources, claim this action will disrupt Russian military logistics.
Train Carried Mineral Fertilizer
In response to this incident, Russian authorities stated that the derailed train was transporting mineral fertilizer and that the derailment had no impact on passenger and local traffic. RIA Novosti, a state-run Russian news agency, suggested “unauthorized interference” as the cause of the derailment.
Another incident occurred on the night of November 11, when a fire broke out at a gunpowder factory near Kotovsk, Tambov Oblast. Eyewitnesses reported explosions before the fire. This factory was the site of a deadly fire in June 2023. According to ISW, this could have been the second attack that night.
Intelligence Service Did Not Deny Involvement
GUR spokesperson Andriy Yussow neither confirmed nor denied these events in Russia on November 11 but emphasized that such attacks would continue. Additionally, geolocated images from November 10 show smoke rising from a building in Kolomna, Moscow Oblast. Russian sources claim that explosions were heard, speculating about a drone crashing into the building. The Russian Ministry of Defense reports that it shot down two Ukrainian drones over the Smolensk and Moscow Oblasts on the night of November 10.
Ukraine Responds to Russian Shelling
Ukrainian officials have not yet commented on the incident in Kolomna. However, Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko stated in an interview on November 11 that Ukraine would respond to Russian attacks on critical Ukrainian infrastructure with counterstrikes on Russian energy infrastructure. ISW emphasizes that these statements should be viewed in the context of the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Image: President.gov.ua, President’s participation in the events on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s military intelligence 03, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, (no changes made)