MOSCOW: Russia accused Ukraine on Thursday of rupturing a now defunct pipeline used to transport Russian ammonia into Ukraine for export, releasing toxic gas into the air.
The incident took place near the frontline village of Rusin Yar in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, Russia said.
“During Ukraine’s retreat from the area at around 1:05 p.m. (1005 GMT) on October 9, 2025, the pipeline was blown up, resulting in the release of ammonia residues through the damaged section,” the Russian defense ministry said, accusing Kyiv of trying to slow its advances.
It posted a video showing what appeared to be clouds of a chemical compound spewing out from a source in the ground.
The military administration in Ukraine’s Donetsk region confirmed on Telegram that the pipeline had been “damaged” without indicating the reason.
The authorities said the incident did not present a “menace to the lives of people” living nearby.
Ammonia is used to make fertilizer.
Before the war, the Tolyatti-Odesa pipeline transported millions of tons of the chemical compound from the Russian city of Tolyatti to Black Sea ports in Ukraine.
It ceased operations shortly after Moscow launched its 2022 offensive.
Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of rupturing the pipeline before, in 2023.
