Russia’s Gazprom: gas flow to Europe uninterrupted after blast on key pipeline

MOSCOW – Russian gas giant Gazprom says Tuesday’s explosion at a key pipeline in Ukraine has not disrupted the flow of gas to Europe.

The blast, which occurred far from where government troops are fighting pro-Russia separatists, came a day after Russia cut gas supplies to Ukraine in a dispute over price and overdue payments.

Vitaly Markelov, Gazprom’s deputy chief executive, told reporters on Wednesday that the transit of gas has not been disrupted and that European customers are receiving the contracted amounts.

Ukrainian officials say terrorism has not been ruled out as the cause of the explosion.

Markelov refused to speculate on the cause but said poor maintenance of pipelines in Ukraine makes such accidents more likely.