Russian state-owned gas supplier Gazprom is to halt supplies going through Bulgaria into Europe as of Wednesday 27 April, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing the Bulgarian Energy Ministry. 

The report comes after Gazprom earlier notified Poland's gas supplier PGNIG that it would be halting gas supplies as of 0800CET on Wednesday. 

Bloomberg framed the news as a "major escalation in the fight between Moscow and Europe over crucial energy supplies", noting it comes against the backdrop of a standoff between the two sides over Russian demands for gas payments to be made in roubles.