Gas station fire flares tensions between Russia and Ukraine
A fire broke out at a gas station in Sudzha, sparking mutual accusations between Russia and Ukraine, while discussions involving Donald Trump are unfolding in the background.
In Sudzha, a fire erupted at a gas station, leading to mutual accusations between Russia and Ukraine. The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that Kyiv deliberately attacked the station, which has been under Ukraine's control since August 2024. Moscow accuses Ukraine of blowing up the facility during a withdrawal from the Kursk region to discredit U.S. President's peace initiatives.
Fire in Sudzha: Russia and Ukraine exchange accusations
Kyiv firmly rejects these allegations, calling them groundless. Ukraine's General Staff emphasizes that Russians repeatedly shelled the station. According to the Ukrainian military, Russia attacked the same station with missiles just three days before the fire.
"The attempts by the Russians to deceive everyone and pretend that they are adhering to the ceasefire will not work, (neither) will the fake news about the strikes on the gas station," wrote Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian president's office, on X.
The fire in Sudzha occurred more than a week after Russia announced the recapture of the city, which Ukraine seized during the invasion of the Kursk region. These events are taking place alongside phone conversations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump. Zelensky reported that he would support the cessation of strikes on energy targets as a result of talks with the former U.S. president.
The transportation of natural gas through Sudzha ended on January 1, 2025, after Kyiv refused to renew the agreement with Russia. This is a historic date that poses new challenges for the Ukrainian gas transport system, which may become a target for Russian missile attacks. Brussels, Kyiv, and Warsaw are preparing a response to these potential threats.
