Ukraine and Russia Exchange Accusations Over Sudzha Gas Facility Attacks Amid Ceasefire Tensions

On Friday, the Russian Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of launching rockets and over a dozen drones at its energy infrastructure, thus breaching a ceasefire agreement brokered by the U.S. between the two conflicting nations.

In a statement released in the morning, the military declared, «In the last 24 hours, the Kyiv regime has persisted in its assaults on Russian energy facilities utilizing various drone types and HIMARS rocket systems.»

The ministry alleged that Ukraine targeted the Sudzha gas metering station in the southwestern Kursk region, which had already been damaged in a previous strike, and also dispatched 19 drones toward an oil refinery located in the southern Saratov region.

President Vladimir Putin announced a 30-day suspension of attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure starting March 18, following a conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. Nevertheless, Ukraine did not immediately consent to the ceasefire, and oversight of the agreement remains ambiguous as both Kyiv and Moscow accuse each other of violations.

On Tuesday, the White House stated that both Russia and Ukraine had independently agreed to «develop measures for implementing» a cessation of strikes on energy facilities.

In response to the allegations on Friday, Ukraine refuted claims that its military engaged the Sudzha gas metering station and asserted that it was the Russian forces that struck the facility.

«Russia has once again targeted the Sudzha gas transmission system in the Kursk region, which they do not control,» stated Andriy Kovalenko, an official in charge of counteracting disinformation, via social media.

Ukraine has accused Russia of consistently violating its own pledge not to attack Ukrainian energy infrastructure and has urged the United States to respond to the reported transgressions of the ceasefire.

Reporting was contributed by AFP.