NNA – The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is heating up, with a « powerful explosion » rocking a gas pipeline near Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.
The blast has been blamed on sabotage, according to Tatiana Bogorodko, the head of Luhanskgas, which manages the gas pipeline.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a speech that the « world has been watching in disbelief » as Russia masses troops on the border with Ukraine.
Russia has repeatedly denied having plans to invade.
Rebels in eastern Ukraine have declared a full military mobilisation, just hours after they ordered women and children to evacuate to southern Russia because of fears of a conflict.
Nato is relocating staff from Ukraine’s capital Kyiv to Lviv, in the west of the country, because of fears for their safety. —–NZ Herald
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