Gas pipeline in Ukraine's breakaway region catches fire after blast

A part of a gas pipeline near Luhansk, one of the main cities in Ukraine's breakaway region of People's Republic of Luhansk, caught fire late on Friday after a blast, Russian news agencies reported, citing correspondents on the ground.

On a video published on Twitter by the Conflict News account, a bright glow is visible over Luhansk city suggesting a large fire taking place.

BREAKING: Multiple reports that a gas pipeline near separatist-controlled Luhansk in eastern Ukraine has exploded. pic.twitter.com/4bQloBGZ1S (video via @hochu_dodomu)

— Conflict News (@Conflicts) February 18, 2022

The pipeline was struck by “a powerful explosion”, Interfax news agency reported, citing a local natural gas supplier.

Earlier on Friday, a powerful explosion shook the city of Donetsk at 7:00 p.m. local time. A car bomb was detonated in a parking lot near the seat of the government of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, another breakaway region in Ukraine.

Small car bomb explosion, looks like they may attempt to frame it as a targeted assassination attempt on an official in Donetsk pic.twitter.com/pBf3UBmzzK

— ELINT News (@ELINTNews) February 18, 2022

The owner of the destroyed jeep, head of the DPR People’s Militia Denis Sinenkov has informed Interfax that he was not injured in the explosion.

‼️The first video of the car explosion in Ukraine, casualties are unknown ‼️

[No graphic content included] pic.twitter.com/ludM04EtF2

— Conflict Updates (@UpdateConflict) February 18, 2022