Blast hits Russia-EU gas pipeline

An explosion in Ukraine yesterday knocked out of service one of the main pipelines exporting Russian natural gas to the European Union, the Russian Vesti television news channel reported overnight, according to Interactive Investor.

The explosion, which cut the pipeline carrying Siberian gas through Ukraine to Germany and other EU clients, forced the operators to suspend the flow on the pipeline.

However, there would be no interruption in the deliveries to the European Union, a source in the Ukrainian government quoted by the channel said.

"One of the Ukrainian gas grid`s specifics is in its multiple branches, which allow us to re-route gas around the hit section," the source said.