The pattern of damage on the Lutugino gas pipeline shows that this infrastructure facility was attacked on purpose, the Lugansk People’s Republic Interior Ministry press service said.
The trunk pipeline depressurized and caught fire at around 18:20 on January 7, which left more than 13,000 customers and 21 social infrastructure facilities in the Lutugino district without electricity. The LPR State Security Ministry said the pipeline had been attacked by saboteurs and instituted criminal proceedings.
“After fire containment, LPR Interior Ministry Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team experts inspected the scene for the presence of explosive devices,” the press service said. “They recovered fragments of damaged pipe, soil samples, sooty pieces of the concrete structure etc. The pattern of damage shows that the infrastructure facility had been blasted on purpose.”
The explosive device had a yield of 500 grams of TNT, according to preliminary information.
Police are implementing measures to establish the identity of the persons complicit in the sabotage, the Interior Ministry said.
The Luganskgaz state unitary enterprise resumed gas supply to the Lutugino district customers at 16:00, January 8.*i*ie
