KEY POINTS
- Ukraine boosts gas imports to counter supply disruptions from Russian attacks.
- The country may need up to one billion cubic meters of imported gas this winter.
- Authorities stopped reporting gas storage levels due to security concerns.
Ukraine has ramped up its gas imports, maintaining a high level of 16.3 million cubic meters (mcm) on Sunday, according to the country’s state-run gas transmission system operator.
The data shows that 7.1 mcm will come from Hungary, 7.3 mcm from Slovakia, and 1.8 mcm from Poland.
The surge in imports follows a series of Russian missile attacks targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, particularly gas facilities in the Lviv and Kharkiv regions.
According to Reuters, these attacks have severely impacted the country’s storage and production capabilities, forcing Kyiv to increase its reliance on imported gas.
Ukraine has the capacity to store up to 30 billion cubic meters of gas, but authorities have stopped reporting exact storage levels due to ongoing missile strikes on energy infrastructure.
The lack of transparency has fueled speculation about potential supply shortages as the winter season continues.
Russian attacks push Ukraine to increase imports
The recent wave of Russian missile strikes has put additional pressure on Ukraine’s energy sector.
In January alone, Russia launched dozens of missile and drone attacks on gas storage facilities in Western Ukraine and on production sites in Kharkiv, the country’s main gas-producing region.
With domestic production taking a hit, Ukraine is turning to European neighbors to secure enough gas for the ongoing heating season.
Energy Minister German Galushchenko recently stated that Ukraine might need to import up to one billion cubic meters of gas to offset the shortfall caused by these attacks.
The ongoing war has significantly disrupted Ukraine’s ability to extract gas from underground storage, further complicating efforts to maintain stable supplies.
This means Kyiv is increasingly dependent on imports from Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland to meet the country’s energy demands.
Impact on gas consumption and future outlook
Ukraine’s daily gas consumption currently stands at around 110 mcm, according to Serhiy Makogon, the former head of the country’s gas transit operator.
This demand is being met by 52 mcm from domestic production and 58 mcm from underground storage.
Russian attacks on Ukrainian gas infrastructure will create obstacles to sustaining current energy levels.
The experts have warned that Ukraine could experience major power failures without dependable energy supply imports.
Russia’s focus on attacking energy facilities will create additional risks for supply interruptions with corresponding higher prices for utility consumers.
Ukraine continues its mission to guarantee dependable energy supplies, through international alliances despite present hurdles.
Moreover, Kyiv maintains strategic energy security partnerships with European partners to ensure constant gas supplies amid the ongoing conflict.
