Ukraine Refutes Russian Accusations for Sudzha Gas Station Attack

On March 20, the Sudzha gas metering station, a critical conduit for Russian gas flowing to Europe, was attacked, according to Russian media reports.

Russian sources have accused Ukraine of carrying out the strike, but Ukraine’s military has denied the allegations. They assert that the attack was actually the result of Russian artillery shelling, characterizing the accusation as part of Moscow's ongoing disinformation campaign.

The Sudzha station had been the sole channel for Russian gas deliveries to Europe through Ukraine after the closure of the Sokhranivka gas transit route in May 2022. According to reports, a massive column of fire was seen at the border between Russia’s Kursk region and Ukraine’s Sumy region.

Russian military bloggers claim that the Sudzha station was damaged in a “Ukrainian strike.” Local news outlets from Kursk have shared videos and photos of the alleged aftermath of the attack on the gas metering station.

In response to the incident, the Ukrainian General Staff denied any involvement, stating on March 21 that Russia had shelled the Sudzha station in an effort to discredit Ukraine.

“The Russian Federation is intensifying its disinformation campaign against Ukraine,” the statement said. “The enemy has falsely accused our Armed Forces of attacking the Sudzha station. These claims are groundless.”

The General Staff also reminded that the Sudzha station had already been bombed with guided aerial bombs last summer, and just three days prior, Russian forces had again targeted it with cluster bombs. “Today, the enemy escalated its destructive information campaign with another provocation—shelling the facility with artillery,” the General Staff added.

The Ukrainian forces also highlighted that Russia had previously used the gas pipeline to secretly move its troops.

“Russia continues to produce numerous false narratives and seeks to mislead the international community. We urge everyone to rely only on official sources, verify information, and resist manipulation,” the statement concluded.

Previously, it was reported that Ukraine’s Air Force struck and destroyed a Russian military command post near Demidivka in Russia’s Belgorod region on March 18. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that the command post belonged to one of the units of Russia’s 3rd Motorized Rifle Division, part of the 20th Army.