Serbian power grid overloaded amid gas dispute

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia's government is warning that its power grid is getting overloaded, as thousands switch to electricity for heating amid gas shortages caused by the Russia-Ukraine energy dispute. Authorities said the capital Belgrade is facing increased air pollution as residents and businesses switch from using natural gas to oil for heat.

Gas Crisis Causes Political Turmoil in Ukraine

Opposition parties in Ukraine are pressing for the resignation of the Government over the row with Russia that has left the country without gas supplies for two weeks.

As local authorities reduced heating and water supplies, there has been growing resentment on the streets and now there are calls to start impeachment proceedings against President Viktor Yushchenko.

The head of the Regions party, Viktor Yanukovich has called for a special commission to investigate what he called the authorities’ abuse of power over gas supply issues.

Yushenko faces impeachment scare:

Ukraine sees Russian power grab in gas dispute

WISLA, Poland (AP) — The Ukrainian president says Russia is using a gas dispute that has deprived Europe of energy supplies in winter to gain control of Ukraine's gas transit network.

Viktor Yushchenko says Russia's gas monopoly Gazprom wants to charge the former Soviet republic an unjustly high price in order to drive it into debt and later acquire a stake in its pipeline network.

. . . Much of Europe is heavily dependent on Russian gas that is shipped primarily through Ukraine. Russia briefly restarted sending gas through Ukraine on Tuesday but then accused Ukraine of blocking its flow to Europe. Ukraine said Russia deliberately chose a pipeline route that would force Ukraine to cut off domestic users before the gas could reach Europe.