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Kyiv, Ukraine – Ukraine plans to import up to 800 million cubic metres of gas from Europe in February and March to compensate for the decline in domestic production, which has fallen by almost 40% due to massive Russian missile strikes. Reuters reports this with reference to a senior energy source who wished to remain anonymous.
Loss of production due to shelling
Before the shelling, Ukraine was producing approximately 52 million cubic metres of gas per day, while in winter consumption ranges from 110 to 140 million cubic metres daily.
“This heating season, we could have done without imports, but the attacks on production facilities have forced us to buy gas to compensate for losses,”said an anonymous industry representative.
The exact data on the current production level is not disclosed for security reasons.
Vulnerability of gas infrastructure
Ukraine’s main gas production capacities are concentrated in Kharkiv and Poltava regions, regions that are frequently subject to Russian shelling. As a result, gas infrastructure facilities have become easy targets for attacks.
Nevertheless, the source says that thanks to the planned imports and domestic production, Ukraine will be able to go through the current heating season, which lasts from October to April, without limiting gas supplies to households and industry.
Gas reserves and preparations for the next season
At the beginning of this heating season, Ukraine had 12.9 bcm of gas in underground storage facilities. Ukraine plans to start injecting gas to prepare for the 2025/26 winter season this spring, with a target of accumulating about 13 bcm.
However, it is not yet known how much gas can be imported after March, as it will depend on the level of local production, which directly depends on the intensity of Russian attacks.
Gas for households is a priority
Ukraine mainly uses gas for heating homes and cooking. The government assures that its priority is to ensure uninterrupted gas supply to the population even in the event of further shelling of energy infrastructure.
