The Progress Pipe of the Sudzha Gas Measuring Station Was Mined with Dynamite

Breaking News: Explosion at Sudzha Gas Metering Station Linked to Ukrainian Forces

The Sudzha gas metering station in the Kursk region, a key facility for the transit of Russian gas to Europe, was rocked by a devastating explosion. Reports from Russian sources indicate that the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) detonated a pipe of the Progress gas pipeline. The explosion, attributed to dynamite, severely damaged a 30-meter segment of the pipeline, resulting in a massive fire that created a bright flame visible for hundreds of kilometers, including across Kursk and the border regions of Ukraine’s Sumy area.

In response to the incident, the Investigative Committee of Russia has launched a criminal investigation, categorizing the explosion as a terrorist act and underscoring the targeted nature of the attack.

Russian sources claim that the explosion was facilitated by the fact that the station has been under Ukrainian control since August 7, 2024. Located just 500 meters from the state border, the facility served as a logistics hub for Ukrainian forces, deemed relatively secure. The Sudzha station accommodates four gas pipelines: the Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod and Progress lines, which are directed toward the European market, and two additional pipelines leading to Kyiv. Notably, just days prior, on March 18, another European branch was compromised.

The explosion ignited a significant fire fueled by residual gas that had accumulated in the pipelines after the valves were closed on January 1, 2025, coinciding with the expiration of the transit agreement through Ukraine. Experts assert that while the damaged section can be repaired, the timeline for restoration remains uncertain.

The Russian government has highlighted the strategic importance of the Sudzha station, claiming that its destruction threatens Europe’s energy stability. Prior to the suspension of transit, the station facilitated the flow of approximately 42 million cubic meters of gas daily, supplying a substantial portion of energy to EU nations. However, Ukraine has denied any involvement in the attack, further complicating the geopolitical tensions surrounding the incident.