Ukraine grid operator site hit by airstrike, gas supply in Kharkiv region partially suspended

Two natural gas pipeline strings suffered damage due to an airstrike hitting the gas distribution station of Izyum in the region of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine in early hours of March 2, Ukraine`s gas grid operator GTSOU said in a statement.

Due to the damage caused by Russian missiles, the gas distribution site stopped the operation in the city of Izyum and Brazhkivka as a precautionary step. As a result, some 40,000 residents were left without gas supply.

"A targeted attack on critical infrastructure is a terrorist act against the civilian population of Ukraine," said GTSOU's CEO Sergiy Makogon adding that the company is preparing an appeal to law enforcement agencies.

No casualties of the explosion among the employees have been reported so far.

Gas transportation will resume once the appropriate repairs will be undertaken, said the company.

GTSO also reported shelling targeting administrative buildings of Ukraine's gas grid operator in city near the Black Sea Mykolaiv and Kharkiv, the country`s second biggest city, close to the Russian border.

Mykolaiv`region gas transportation station also suffered damages in the military operations, said GTSOU.