Ukraine to import 800 million cubic metres of gas amid Russian attacks on energy infrastructure

Ukraine plans to import up to 800 million cubic metres (mcm) of gas from Europe during February and March, as it grapples with a significant drop in domestic production due to intensified Russian missile strikes on its energy infrastructure.

A senior industry source said that production has fallen by as much as 40%, prompting the need for imports to compensate for the shortfall, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Russia has increasingly targeted Ukraine’s gas fields in recent weeks, in addition to its ongoing missile and drone attacks on the country's electricity sector.

Ukrainian state gas firm Naftogaz and private energy company DTEK confirmed that their facilities had been damaged in at least two separate attacks in February. Prior to these strikes, Ukraine was producing around 52 million cubic metres of gas daily, while consumption during winter typically ranged between 110 and 140 mcm per day. The country had previously relied on gas storage to cover the gap.

"We could manage without imports this heating season, but the damage to production facilities has made it necessary to bring in gas from abroad," the source, who requested anonymity, stated.

The Ukrainian operator of the gas transmission system reported a significant increase in gas imports since the start of February, with daily volumes rising nearly tenfold to over 20 mcm.

Despite the challenges, Ukraine's energy officials remain confident that imports and domestic production will be sufficient to sustain the country throughout the heating season, which lasts until April, without imposing any restrictions on households or industry. However, energy experts had earlier warned that gas reserves were approaching dangerously low levels, with storage nearing just 10% of the country's total capacity of around 30 billion cubic metres.

Looking ahead, the source also highlighted that Ukraine must begin replenishing its reserves for the 2025/26 winter season in spring, aiming to accumulate around 13 billion cubic metres. As of the start of the current season, Ukraine had 12.9 bcm in storage.

The future of gas imports beyond March remains uncertain, as the intensity of Russian attacks will directly impact the country’s ability to maintain production levels.

By Aghakazim Guliyev