Russia‘s state-controlled Gazprom unveiled a major escalation in its energy war with Western Europe on Friday by announcing the Nord Stream 1 pipeline will remain closed indefinitely, a move which threatens the prospect of blackouts and economic turmoil across the continent.

The announcement was immediately condemned in capitals across the continent, but despite the anger, Gazprom’s decision will only serve to increase fears that Europe, which has long relied on Russian energy, is facing a long, harsh winter on rationing and potentially crippling price rises.

The underwater 1,200km (745 miles) gas link, which runs from under the Baltic Sea near St Petersburg to north-eastern Germany, was due to reopen on Saturday after maintenance work for several days.

Gazprom said on social media that the leak was discovered in a vital turbine and had identified “malfunctions”. It did not give a timeframe to re-open.

Friday’s announcement by the Russian gas giant came just hours after G7 finance ministers agreed a global price cap on Russian oil and petroleum products.

Key Points

• Russia’s Gazprom announces Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline to Europe to remain closed indefinitely
• Ukraine ‘pushing back’ Russian forces in Kherson
• G7 agrees price cap on Russian oil to rein in runaway energy costs
• Russian forces suffer ‘significant losses’ in southern region of Kherson, Ukraine military says
• Zelensky calls for demilitarisation, full control of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant

Two experts from IAEA to remain stationed at Zaporizhzhia plant07:05 , Stuti Mishra

A United Nations inspection team, led by its chief Rafael Grossi, returned late on Friday after managing to inspect the site of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant despite intense shelling in the area.

Speaking at a news conference upon his return to Vienna on Friday, Mr Grossi said six International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) staff members remain at Zaporizhzhia, Europe’s largest nuclear plant, after he led a 14-person mission there.

He added that the number would be reduced to two next week and those two would be the IAEA’s continuous presence there in the longer term.

Both sides have accused the other of shelling near the facility which is still operated by Ukrainian staff and supplies more than a fifth of Ukraine’s electricity in peacetime.

Kyiv also accuses Russia of using it to shield its weapons, which Moscow denies. Russia has so far resisted international calls to pull troops out of the plant and demilitarise the area.