**Ukraine Accused of Damaging Russian Gas Pipeline in Siberia**
A source close to Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) has claimed that Ukraine was behind the recent explosion on a major gas pipeline in Russia’s Tyumen Oblast. According to the source, the incident destroyed a section of the key pipeline supplying Russian military-industrial facilities in Chelyabinsk, Orenburg, and Sverdlovsk oblasts.
The explosion reportedly occurred in Langepas, a city located in western Siberia, over 3,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The immediate damage was estimated at $1.3 million, with a large fire breaking out as a result of the blast. Repairing and testing the pipeline could take about a month, which will reduce gas supply by 25 million cubic meters and cause indirect losses of nearly $76 million.
**Challenging Repairs Ahead**
The source in HUR noted that repairing the damaged pipeline will be challenging due to its location in a swampy area. This will make it difficult for repair crews to access the site, adding to the complexity and cost of the repairs. The incident is seen as part of Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to weaken Russia’s military capabilities.
**Similar Incident in Vladivostok**
This is not the first time Ukraine has targeted Russian gas pipelines. A similar incident was reported on July 5 in Russia’s Vladivostok, where explosions damaged a gas pipeline and destroyed a water pipeline supplying military facilities in the region. The damaged pipeline provided gas to several Russian military facilities on the coast of the Sea of Japan.
**Analysis**
The claim that Ukraine was behind the explosion on the gas pipeline in Langepas raises questions about the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine has been regularly targeting military targets deep within Russian territory as part of its efforts to diminish Moscow’s fighting power.
While the Kyiv Independent could not verify these claims, they highlight the escalating tensions between the two countries. The incident also underscores the challenges facing Russia in maintaining its military-industrial complex, particularly in regions far from the Ukrainian border.
**Read More**
For more information on this story and Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to weaken Russian military capabilities, please see our full report at kyivindependent.com.
