An enormous explosion has hit one of Russia’s major gas pipelines, sending flames and smoke billowing into the sky above and prompting fears it was a retribution attack for Vladimir Putin’s continued invasion of Ukraine.
The fireball was visible for miles in every direction after hitting about 14 miles east of St Petersburg, the nation’s second largest city and Putin’s hometown.
One source said: ‘Everything is automatic there, and such explosions by themselves, without external influence, are impossible.’
The blast is believed to have hit the main gas pipeline belonging to Gazprom Transgaz SPB, and could have potentially impacted up to one million people.
Ambulances and emergency vehicles were rushing to the scene this afternoon. Eyewitnesses reported intensive care vehicles also drove to the site of the explosion.
It’s understood investigators and forensic specialists were also at the site of the explosion as they rush to determine the cause.
However, the major blast did not hit close to residential areas, and there are no initial reports of casualties coming out of Russia.
Hellbound and Down 