KIEV, March 25 - A section of Ukrainian natural gas pipeline carrying Russian gas to the European Union was damaged by fire late Wednesday, forcing the authorities to re-route gas supplies through other pipelines.

European gas supplies had not been affected by the fire, thanks to the quick re-routing, the emergency ministry reported Thursday.

The accident took place hours before Prime Minister Mykola Azarov left for Moscow for talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over gas supplies and prices.