Latvia to claim compensation from Russia for Belarus pipeline leak

Next week, Latvia is set to demand compensation from the Russian company Zapod-Transnefteprodukt for the losses associated with the fuel leak and contamination of River Daugava. A relevant letter will be sent to Russia as soon as it is translated into the Russian language. The accident took place on the Belarus leg of the Russian pipeline in the northern Belarus in March.

Almost 4000 kg of diesel leaked into the river. In order to clean up the country's main water vein, the Latvian authorities spent Lt324,000 (over $600,000).

Latvia has no formal claims against Belarus, but has criticized heavily the Belarusian ecology services which failed to inform their Latvian colleagues about the accident, reports novonews.