Moscow has accused the United Kingdom and France of playing a key role in Ukraine’s recent attack on Russia’s energy infrastructure, specifically targeting the Sudzha gas metering station in the Kursk Region. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed that British specialists helped guide a Ukrainian HIMARS missile system that struck the facility, with French satellites purportedly assisting in the targeting process.
“[We] have reasons to believe that targeting and navigation were facilitated through French satellites and British specialists input [target] coordinates and launched [the missiles],” Zakharova said, branding the attack “part of a Ukrainian “terror” campaign targeting Russian energy infrastructure. ”
The attack, which occurred on Friday, reportedly caused significant damage to the Sudzha station, a key part of Russia’s gas pipeline system, which has historically delivered fuel to European Union customers. Zakharova emphasized that the command for the strike came from London, framing the assault as part of a broader “terror” campaign by Ukraine against Russian energy infrastructure.
This allegation comes amidst rising tensions over the adherence to a ceasefire agreement brokered between Russia and the United States earlier this month.
According to Zakharova, the strike violates an agreement to halt attacks on energy infrastructure, an understanding reached after talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. While Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly supported the truce, Zakharova accused him of not implementing any concrete measures to ensure the suspension of such strikes, especially on energy facilities.
The Russian Defense Ministry has routinely reported attacks on its energy infrastructure, particularly in the aftermath of the suspension of the agreement. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the latest attack, warned that Moscow may withdraw from the ceasefire agreement due to continued strikes on its energy assets.
The Sudzha station, part of a major energy route between Western Siberia and Ukraine, has been a crucial infrastructure asset for Europe’s gas supply for decades. Ukraine’s actions, including the termination of its contract with Russia in 2024, have heightened tensions and posed risks to European gas supplies.
The incident has further strained the complex geopolitical dynamics between Russia, Ukraine, and Western powers. Moscow’s accusations point to growing concerns that the UK and France’s support for Ukraine could escalate the conflict, potentially leading to direct clashes between NATO and Russian forces.
