An explosion occurred in Zakarpattia (Trans-Carpathia) at the main gas line that supplies gas from Russia via Ukraine to Europe.
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A repair crew from Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s energy company said repair work was done on the Kakhov-Titan line to Crimea, but power was still not restored, Espreso. TV and other Ukrainian media reported.
The activists denied involvement in the latest power outage, which they said could be caused by heavy winds.
But Ukraine’s 112 TV reported that the National Police in Kherson Region said an explosion caused the damage (translation by The Interpreter):
A review of the damaged cement electricity pylons is underway in the area of the village of Bogdanovka in Kakhovo District. According to the preliminary conclusions of experts from the explosives service, the pylon was damaged as a result of an explosion.
Earlier in November, an explosion on the line had caused power outages throughout in Crimea until repairs were completed December 8.
— Catherine A. Fitzpatrick
But Dan-info, the news service of the self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic” (DNR) claimed, however, that Ukrainian forces had violated the “quiet regimen” 11 times, firing from 82–mm mortars, tanks and BMPs in Staromikhalovka, Kominternovo and the area of the Donetsk Airport. One DNR fighter was killed due to numerous shrapnel wounds, said Dan-info. Five homes were said to be damaged in Kominternovo.
There was also report of an Aidar volunteer killed not yet reported by the Ukrainian military.
“As a result of the explosion, a 50-meter pillar of fire was formed, residents of villages in several districts have seen it.
Ukraine Today published two amateur videos from the scene.
No damage to the environment was expected.
Last year an explosion on the gas line to Europe occurred at another location, and officials suspected sabotage, but this has not been claimed in the current incident.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev announced toay that Russia would give Ukraine a discount in the new gas contract for the first quarter of 2016, bringing the price to $212.3 per 1,000 cubic meters, down from $230. The price for the last quarter of 2015 was $227.40 Gazprom, Russia’s gas monopoly, cut off the gas supply November 25 due to Ukraine’s non-payment, noting that the government would have to decide whether a discount should be offered.
— Catherine A. Fitzpatrick