Fire in Sudzha ignites Russian-Ukraine tensions amid Trump talks
A fire broke out at a petrol station in Sudzha, sparking a wave of mutual accusations between Russia and Ukraine. In the background, there are discussions with Donald Trump.
In Sudzha, a fire erupted at a petrol station, becoming a cause for mutual accusations between Russia and Ukraine. The Russian Ministry of Defence claims that Kyiv deliberately attacked the station, which has been under Ukraine's control since August 2024. Moscow accuses Ukraine of blowing up the facility during a withdrawal from the Kursk region, aiming to discredit the U.S. President's peace initiatives.
Fire in Sudzha. Russia and Ukraine in a blaze of mutual accusations
Kyiv firmly rejects these allegations, calling them groundless. Ukraine's General Staff emphasises that the station was repeatedly shelled by Russians. According to the Ukrainian military, Russia attacked the same station with missiles just three days before the fire.
"Attempts by Russians to deceive everyone and pretend that they are observing a ceasefire will not work," wrote Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian president's office, on Telegram.
The fire in Sudzha occurred more than a week after Russia announced the recapture of the city, which Ukraine seized during the invasion of the Kursk region. These events are situated in the context of phone conversations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump. Zelensky reported that he would support the cessation of strikes on energy targets as a result of talks with the former U.S. president.
The transportation of natural gas through Sudzha ended on 1st January 2025, after Kyiv refused to renew the agreement with Russia. This marks a significant date that poses new challenges for the Ukrainian gas transport system, which may become a target for Russian missile attacks. Brussels, Kyiv, and Warsaw are preparing a response to these potential threats.
