The step was denounced by European leaders as "blackmail," and comes as European countries have joined the United States in ramping up arms shipments to help Ukraine fend off a new Russian assault in the east.
Series of blasts were heard in the early hours of Wednesday in three Russian provinces bordering Ukraine, authorities said, and an ammunition depot in the Belgorod province caught fire around the same time.
Russia halts gas to Poland, Bulgaria, taking aim at European economies gulfnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from gulfnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The step was denounced by European leaders as "blackmail," and comes as European countries have joined the United States in ramping up arms shipments to help Ukraine fend off a new Russian assault in the east.