The Russian Defense Ministry on Friday said Ukrainian forces have "deliberately blown up the Sudzha gas metering station" as they retreated from Russia's western Kursk region while the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces claimed the station was shelled by the Russians.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed Ukraine's statement as "completely absurd," saying it proves Ukraine cannot be trusted to honor the ceasefire commitments.
He accused Ukraine of attacking energy infrastructure in Russia’s Krasnodar and Kursk regions despite an earlier agreement by both sides to halt such strikes. Peskov added that Russian forces are still adhering to their pledge not to target Ukrainian energy facilities.
The facility, located several hundred meters from the Ukrainian border, has been under Ukrainian control since August 2024, the ministry said. Russia has recently regained control over Sudzha.
The Investigative Committee of Russia announced Friday that it has launched a criminal investigation into the explosion at the station. The committee said that Ukrainian servicemen deliberately detonated the facility on Thursday, causing significant damage.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said on Facebook that Russia's claims regarding Ukraine's shelling of the station are "groundless," and the station has been "repeatedly shelled by the Russians themselves."
The station was a major entry point for Russian gas exports to Europe via Ukraine until it ceased operations on Jan. 1, following the expiration of a five-year transportation agreement.
Russia, Ukraine trade accusations on Sudzha gas metering station blast
Russia, Ukraine trade accusations on Suzha gas metering station blast
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
