Russia closes Europe's main gas pipeline

Russian state energy giant Gazprom said restrictions on the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline will last for the next three days.

Russia has already significantly reduced gas exports. Gazprom also rejects accusations of using energy supplies as a way to punish Western countries for imposing sanctions on the invasion of Ukraine.

The Nord Stream 1 pipeline extends 1,200km (745 km) under the Baltic Sea from the Russian coast near St. Petersburg to northeast Germany.

The pipeline was closed for 10 days in July, again for repairs, according to Russia, and has recently operated with only 20% capacity due to what Russia describes as defective equipment.

European leaders fear that Russia may last the break as an effort to raise gas prices, which have already increased by 400%.

Great growth threatens to create a cost-of-life crisis during the winter months, potentially forcing governments to spend billions to ease the burden.

But Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman has dismissed the accusations and insisted that Western sanctions have caused disruptions, damaging Russian infrastructure.