Ukraine gas pipeline hit by blast

A blast has destroyed a section of one of the main gas pipelines in Ukraine exporting Russian gas to Europe, Ukraine's emergencies ministry says.

It says about 30m (98ft) of the Urenhoi-Pomary-Uzhhorod pipeline was damaged by the explosion.

Russia's state gas state monopoly Gazprom, which controls the export of all Russian gas, said the blast caused no disruptions in supplies to Europe.

No-one was injured in the explosion, officials in Ukraine said.

The blast happened at 1420 (1120 GMT) near the village of Luka in the Kiev region, Ukraine's emergencies ministry spokesman Ihor Kroll told the BBC.

Mr Kroll said a bypass system was activated, rerouting the flow of gas to Europe.

He said experts were at the site, trying to determine the cause of the blast.

The Urenhoi-Pomary-Uzhhorod is one of three main lines in Ukraine that carry gas to the EU - the biggest gas market for Russia.

Ukraine is a major transit point for Russian gas deliveries to Europe.