(MENAFN) Russian officials have accused Ukrainian forces of destroying the Sudzha gas metering station in Kursk Region while retreating from the area. Moscow condemned the attack as an act of terrorism and a violation of the recently agreed partial ceasefire between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky had pledged to uphold the truce.

The Sudzha metering station is part of the Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod pipeline, which transports Russian gas through Ukraine to Europe. Despite tensions, gas deliveries continued even after Ukrainian forces seized the station in August. However, Ukraine halted the flow at the start of this year by refusing to renew its contract with Gazprom.

According to Russia’s Defense Ministry, Ukrainian troops blew up the Sudzha facility shortly after midnight on Friday as they withdrew from Kursk Region. The ministry claimed Kiev’s forces had been using the site as a secure logistics hub before deliberately demolishing it during their retreat. Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation, labeling the attack an act of terrorism and vowing to hold those responsible accountable.

On Tuesday, Putin and Trump discussed a 30-day ceasefire, with Moscow agreeing to suspend strikes on energy infrastructure. Ukraine later committed to the deal. However, the Kremlin now says the Sudzha attack proves Kiev cannot be trusted. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated, “Everyone can see how much one can trust Zelensky’s word,” reinforcing Russia’s longstanding claims about Ukraine’s unreliability in negotiations.

Russia’s Defense Ministry further suggested that Ukraine’s attacks on energy infrastructure are deliberate attempts to undermine Trump’s mediation efforts and derail peace talks.

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