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Powerful explosion hits another city in eastern Ukraine – reports Powerful explosions hit another city in eastern Ukraine – reports
(32 minutes later)
According to preliminary reports, the blast in Lugansk has affected a gas pipeline At least one of the two consecutive blasts in Lugansk has affected a gas pipeline
An explosion has rocked the city of Lugansk in eastern Ukraine late on Friday, Sputnik news agency's correspondent has reported. Local media have also confirmed that a pipeline in the area has been affected, resulting in a major fire. Emergency services are on the scene.  At least two explosions have rocked the city of Lugansk in eastern Ukraine late on Friday, Sputnik news agency's correspondent has reported. Local media have also confirmed that the first blast has affected a pipeline in the area, resulting in a major fire. The second one reportedly took place at a gas station. 
DETAILS TO FOLLOW The reports of explosions come just hours after the neighbouring city of Donetsk has been rocked by another blast. It was caused by a car bomb, which targeted a vehicle belonging to the head of People's Militia of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, and did not result in any victims.
Earlier, both self-proclaimed republics in Lugansk and Donetsk have ordered a mass evacuation of civilians from the area to Russia, citing fears of a potential attack by the Ukrainian military. Meanwhile, Kiev has been denying any plans to take the breakaway regions by force. 
Tensions are currently running high in eastern Ukraine, as the two breakaway regions – known colloquially as Donbass – allege the government in Kiev is planning a military operation to take their territory by force. They cite a sharp increase in incidents along the armistice line, including the use of artillery, mortars, and tanks by the Ukrainian military.
Meanwhile, the US and NATO have accused Russia of intending to invade Ukraine, though their predicted start date of February 16 came and went without incident. Moscow has repeatedly rejected the accusations as ‘fake news’. Both sides have accused the other of planning a ‘false flag’ attack to create a pretext for a military operation.