Central Asia – Center gas pipeline sabotaged in Russia, DIU reports

In Russia’s Volgograd region, the main gas pipeline Central Asia – Center went out of operation due to a suspected explosion.

Ukrinform reports this citing a source in the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU).

According to the source, on December 19, a mysterious “ground subsidence” occurred near the settlement of Romanovka, Olkhovsky district, causing the pipeline to fail.

“According to Russia’s usual explanation, the decades-old Soviet pipeline, which transported gas from Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan for years, could not withstand the force of gravity – especially near Romanovka. The real cause of this sudden geological incident can be seen in exclusive photos obtained by our special correspondents,” the DIU statement said.

Despite the supposedly “minor” nature of the incident, emergency and special service vehicles were quickly deployed to the site. “Presumably, to document yet another unique natural phenomenon: soil that selectively subsides under strategic gas infrastructure,” the statement added.

The Central Asia – Center pipeline is a key element of the system through which Russia imported up to 12 billion cubic meters of gas per year. Since 2022, despite loud claims of “energy independence,” Moscow has used this pipeline for reverse flows and even purchased gas from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to cover local shortages. Currently, gas transportation through this route is suspended indefinitely.

The DIU emphasized that “geological processes in Russia tend to develop further – especially near facilities that finance the war against Ukraine. Every war crime against the Ukrainian people will be met with just retribution.”

As previously reported by Ukrinform, on the night of December 19, a drone group attacked several facilities on Russian territory, including the chemical company TogliattiAzot in Samara region.

Photo: provided by source