Kremlin cynically blames Ukraine for explosion at Sudzha gas metering station

Peskov asserted that Kyiv is the "obvious culprit of the explosion."

He falsely claimed that Russian forces are supposedly refraining from striking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

The Kremlin's spokesperson further insisted that "Putin's order remains in effect despite Kyiv violating the agreement."

Overnight on March 21, footage appeared on social media showing a large fire at the Sudzha gas metering station, located near the Ukrainian-Russian border in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. As expected, Russian military bloggers quickly blamed Ukraine for the incident.

However, Ukraine’s General Staff reported on the morning of March 21 that Russia itself had shelled the Sudzha station with artillery and then falsely accused Ukrainian Defense Forces. They noted this was part of a broader Russian disinformation campaign against Ukraine.

The General Staff reminded that the same gas station had previously been targeted multiple times by Russian forces. In the summer of 2024, it was bombed with guided aerial bombs, and just three days prior to the latest incident, Russia had again struck the site with guided aerial bombs.

Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation, said that Russia attacked the Sudzha gas station deliberately as part of an information operation to discredit Ukraine.