21:34
17.6.2014
That concludes the live blogging for tonight.
18:56
17.6.2014
18:06
17.6.2014
From our news desk:
Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said officials are looking into several possible reasons for the explosion of a gas pipeline but that terrorism or sabotage was one of the "key" theories.
Avakov said local residents reported hearing two small explosions just before the huge blast that ruptured the gas pipeline.
The explosion happened in Ukraine's Poltavksa Oblast that borders the eastern regions of Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk and is near the Donetsk and Luhansk regions where pro-Russian separatists have been battling Ukrainian government forces for several weeks.
The blast occurred along the Urengoy-Pomory-Uzhgorod pipeline that can transport some 29 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia into Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania, where it feeds into pipelines going further into Europe.
Gazprom and Ukraine's pipeline operator Ukrtransgaz both said the suspension of gas supplies along that pipeline would not affect supplies headed to Europe.
Avakov said local residents reported hearing two small explosions just before the huge blast that ruptured the gas pipeline.
The explosion happened in Ukraine's Poltavksa Oblast that borders the eastern regions of Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk and is near the Donetsk and Luhansk regions where pro-Russian separatists have been battling Ukrainian government forces for several weeks.
The blast occurred along the Urengoy-Pomory-Uzhgorod pipeline that can transport some 29 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia into Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania, where it feeds into pipelines going further into Europe.
Gazprom and Ukraine's pipeline operator Ukrtransgaz both said the suspension of gas supplies along that pipeline would not affect supplies headed to Europe.
17:06
17.6.2014
Hmmm....
16:25
17.6.2014
Few further clarifications on the gas pipeline explosion story.
The pipeline doesn't just serve Hungary, but also Slovakia and Romania, where it feeds into pipelines going further into Europe.
And Gazprom has said there would be no interruption of supplies to Europe as parallel pipelines can carry the gas.
The pipeline doesn't just serve Hungary, but also Slovakia and Romania, where it feeds into pipelines going further into Europe.
And Gazprom has said there would be no interruption of supplies to Europe as parallel pipelines can carry the gas.
16:23
17.6.2014
Great piece by Daisy Sindelar on how obscentities have become the latest rallying cry in Ukraine.
15:57
17.6.2014
And here's where it happened:
15:49
17.6.2014
And here's video of the pipeline explosion.
15:34
17.6.2014
RT has a photo it says shows the flames following the pipeline explosion.
15:33
17.6.2014
Russian agencies are reporting that a natural gas pipeline from Russia to Europe has blown up in central Ukraine sending flames hundreds of meters into the air. More from our news desk:
The Interior Ministry branch in Ukraine's Poltavska region said no one was injured in the June 17 blast but that firefighters were having a difficult time getting the blaze under control.
The explosion happened along the Urengoy-Pomory-Uzhgorod pipeline that can transport some 29 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia into Hungary, where it feeds into pipelines going further into Europe.
Ukrainian officials will not be able to determine how long the pipeline will be out of operation until the fire is extinguished and an investigation can be conducted.
There was no news on a possible cause of the explosion.
The Interior Ministry branch in Ukraine's Poltavska region said no one was injured in the June 17 blast but that firefighters were having a difficult time getting the blaze under control.
The explosion happened along the Urengoy-Pomory-Uzhgorod pipeline that can transport some 29 billion cubic meters of gas annually from Russia into Hungary, where it feeds into pipelines going further into Europe.
Ukrainian officials will not be able to determine how long the pipeline will be out of operation until the fire is extinguished and an investigation can be conducted.
There was no news on a possible cause of the explosion.