(Moscow) Russia on Wednesday accused Ukraine of blowing up the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline, the longest in the world, denouncing a “terrorist act” which injured several civilians.
“A Ukrainian sabotage group blew up the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline”, about 2,400 km long, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
This “terrorist act” took place on Monday evening near Massyutovka, a small village in the Kharkiv region (northeastern Ukraine), almost all of which had been recaptured by the Ukrainian army from Russian forces in autumn 2022, according to the same source.
“Several civilians were injured. They were given all the necessary medical assistance,” the statement said.
The pipeline, which connects the Russian city of Togliatti, on the banks of the Volga, with Odessa, the most important Ukrainian port on the Black Sea, allowed Russia to transport more than 2.5 million tons of ammonia – key component of mineral fertilizers – especially for the European Union.
Transit through this pipeline was suspended with the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine in February 2022.
The resumption of operation of this pipeline, requested by Moscow, is part of the negotiations, with the participation of the UN, on the cereals agreement which has allowed the export of millions of tonnes of Ukrainian cereals.