Russia surprised at Transneft not taking blame for oil contamination

A spokesman for Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Anton Siluanov said on Wednesday he was "surprised" after pipeline monopoly Transneft said the government was wrong to blame it for major oil contamination last month.

Transneft said earlier on Wednesday it did not agree with Siluanov that the oil contamination was its fault.

"We are surprised by such an emotional reaction from our colleagues at Transneft," the spokesman said in a statement.