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Europe homes freeze amid gas row Europe homes freeze amid gas row
(9 minutes later)
Hundreds of thousands of homes in Europe remain without heating amid plunging temperatures as a gas row between Russia and Ukraine continues.Hundreds of thousands of homes in Europe remain without heating amid plunging temperatures as a gas row between Russia and Ukraine continues.
More than 15 countries have been hit by the shutdown of Russian supplies.More than 15 countries have been hit by the shutdown of Russian supplies.
Serbia and Bosnia-Hercegovina are among the worst hit as many homes rely on heating stations that only run on gas.Serbia and Bosnia-Hercegovina are among the worst hit as many homes rely on heating stations that only run on gas.
The EU said it had reached agreement with Russia on an observer mission to monitor gas flows, but it was unclear when supplies would resume.The EU said it had reached agreement with Russia on an observer mission to monitor gas flows, but it was unclear when supplies would resume.
There has been no confirmation of the deal from the Russian side, which had, at the last minute, demanded Russian monitors be included on the team. There has been no confirmation of the deal from the Russian side, which had, at the last minute, demanded Russian monitors be included on the team. name="top"> class="bodl" href="#map">See map of affected area
name="top"> Ukraine's Naftogaz said it had no objection to Russians being included.
class="bodl" href="#map">See map of affected area If all sides have agreed, monitors could travel to Ukraine as early as Friday, after which it is hoped the gas will start flowing back into Europe, the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Kiev says.
If all sides have agreed, monitors could travel to Ukraine as early as Friday after which it is hoped the gas will start flowing back into Europe, the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Kiev says.
But the acrimonious disagreement over gas prices between Ukraine and Russia remains, which leaves the crisis far from settled, he adds.But the acrimonious disagreement over gas prices between Ukraine and Russia remains, which leaves the crisis far from settled, he adds.
ProtestsProtests
An estimated 100,000 people in Serbia were left without heating when Russian gas supplies to Europe were halted on Wednesday, the BBC's Helen Fawkes in Belgrade said.An estimated 100,000 people in Serbia were left without heating when Russian gas supplies to Europe were halted on Wednesday, the BBC's Helen Fawkes in Belgrade said.
With sub-zero temperatures across the country, at least eight towns and cities were completely cut off.With sub-zero temperatures across the country, at least eight towns and cities were completely cut off.
Dependence on Russia for gas: 100% dependent on Russia: Latvia, Slovakia, Finland, EstoniaMore than 80% dependent: Bulgaria, Lithuania, Czech RepublicMore than 60% dependent: Greece, Austria, Hungary Source: European Council on Foreign Relations, 2006 figures The rifts behind Europe's gas rowGas cut: How Europe is copingA struggle to keep warmEurope's need for Russian gasDependence on Russia for gas: 100% dependent on Russia: Latvia, Slovakia, Finland, EstoniaMore than 80% dependent: Bulgaria, Lithuania, Czech RepublicMore than 60% dependent: Greece, Austria, Hungary Source: European Council on Foreign Relations, 2006 figures The rifts behind Europe's gas rowGas cut: How Europe is copingA struggle to keep warmEurope's need for Russian gas
Most of its gas-powered heating stations have switched to alternative energy but some can only operate on gas and have had to shut down completely, our correspondent adds.Most of its gas-powered heating stations have switched to alternative energy but some can only operate on gas and have had to shut down completely, our correspondent adds.
It has also received emergency gas from Hungary and Germany.It has also received emergency gas from Hungary and Germany.
In neighbouring Bosnia, some 72,000 homes were without heating in temperatures as low as -15C. Leaders warned its gas reserves would last only a few more days.In neighbouring Bosnia, some 72,000 homes were without heating in temperatures as low as -15C. Leaders warned its gas reserves would last only a few more days.
Angry Bulgarians protested in front of the Ukrainian embassy in Sofia on Thursday, holding placards accusing Russia and Ukraine of being "gas terrorists", the Associated Press reports.Angry Bulgarians protested in front of the Ukrainian embassy in Sofia on Thursday, holding placards accusing Russia and Ukraine of being "gas terrorists", the Associated Press reports.
Other countries reporting a total halt in gas supplies included Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia and Austria.Other countries reporting a total halt in gas supplies included Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia and Austria.
The Czech EU presidency said late Thursday, following talks with Russian and Ukrainian officials in Brussels, that agreement had been reached with Russia over the monitors.The Czech EU presidency said late Thursday, following talks with Russian and Ukrainian officials in Brussels, that agreement had been reached with Russia over the monitors.
"This deployment should lead to the Russian supplies of gas to EU member states being restored," it said in a statement, without specifying when monitors would be in place or when gas supplies would resume."This deployment should lead to the Russian supplies of gas to EU member states being restored," it said in a statement, without specifying when monitors would be in place or when gas supplies would resume.
The EU depends on Russia for about a quarter of its total gas supplies, some 80% of which are pumped via Ukraine.The EU depends on Russia for about a quarter of its total gas supplies, some 80% of which are pumped via Ukraine.
Russia cut gas to Ukraine itself a week ago as the row over pricing and allegedly unpaid bills escalated.Russia cut gas to Ukraine itself a week ago as the row over pricing and allegedly unpaid bills escalated.
Ukraine denies Russian accusations that it is stealing gas passing through export pipelines on its territory.Ukraine denies Russian accusations that it is stealing gas passing through export pipelines on its territory.
  
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