Russia Blames Ukraine for Sudzha Gas Station Explosion
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Synopsis
On March 21, Moscow accused Ukraine of deliberately destroying the Sudzha gas metering station during military withdrawals. The incident has escalated tensions, prompting a criminal investigation while both nations accuse each other of violating ceasefire agreements.
Key Takeaways
- Ukrainian forces allegedly blew up the Sudzha gas station.
- The facility has been under Ukrainian control since August 2024.
- Russia has initiated a criminal investigation into the explosion.
- Ukraine denies the allegations, claiming Russian forces shelled the station.
- The station was a key point for gas exports to Europe.
Moscow, March 21 (NationPress) The Russian Defence Ministry announced on Friday that Ukrainian forces have purposefully detonated the Sudzha gas metering station while withdrawing from Russia's western Kursk region.
This facility, situated just a few hundred meters from the Ukrainian border, has been under Ukrainian control since August 2024, according to the ministry. Recently, Russia has regained authority over Sudzha.
The Investigative Committee of Russia declared on Friday that a criminal investigation into the explosion at the station has been initiated. The committee alleged that Ukrainian military personnel intentionally detonated the facility on Thursday, resulting in substantial damage.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces stated on Facebook that Russia's allegations concerning Ukraine's attack on the station are unfounded, asserting that the station has been frequently shelled by Russian forces.
Previously, the station served as a vital entry point for Russian gas exports to Europe through Ukraine until it ceased operations on January 1, following the end of a five-year transportation agreement, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
On Thursday, Russia's foreign ministry accused Ukraine of violating a proposed 30-day ceasefire regarding energy infrastructure by attacking a Russian oil depot.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova informed Russia's Channel One that the United States, which had suggested the ceasefire, is responsible for ensuring that Ukraine is held accountable for its actions.
Her remarks followed a Ukrainian drone strike that ignited a fire at an oil depot near the village of Kavkazskaya in Russia's southern Krasnodar region.
A statement from local authorities on Thursday evening indicated that efforts to manage the fire are still in progress.
Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump held separate phone discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to White House statements, Trump and Putin concurred that the path to peace will initiate with a ceasefire on energy and infrastructure, while Trump and Zelensky agreed to a partial ceasefire regarding energy.
The Ukrainian side further accused Russia of failing to uphold its commitments. Just hours after Putin's conversation with Trump, Zelensky reported that there had been attacks specifically targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital in Sumy.
Later on Thursday, Russian forces executed a large-scale drone assault on Ukraine's Odesa, resulting in injuries to three individuals and damage to an apartment building and a shopping center, according to the regional governor.
