Ukraine faces urgent gas import challenge amid low reserves

Ukraine is facing a significant challenge related to the necessity of importing gas for the winter season of 2025-26. Serhiy Makohon, the former head of Ukraine's independent Gas Transmission System Operator, announced on Telegram that the country may need to import as much as 6.3 billion cubic metres of gas. This is due to historically low reserves of this resource.

Makohon explained that the situation results from Russian missile attacks that damaged production facilities in eastern Ukraine. Consequently, the country had to utilise gas reserves and increase imports during the winter and spring.

Notably, after discussions the United States held separately with delegations from Ukraine and Russia on March 23-25 in Saudi Arabia, it was announced that Kyiv and Moscow agreed to a complete ban on mutual attacks on energy infrastructure.

According to data from the association of gas operators, Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), Ukraine's gas reserves stood at about 708 million cubic metres as of April 16, which constitutes only 2.22 percent of total storage capacity.

Makohon emphasized that Ukraine should accumulate reserves at a level of at least 12.8 billion cubic metres, of which 4.6 billion cubic metres are necessary to maintain adequate pressure in the storage tanks.

The expert noted that accounting for domestic production, Ukraine will need to import at least 5.5 billion cubic metres of gas, preferably 6.3 billion.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian company Naftohaz predicts the need to import a smaller amount, totalling 4.6 billion cubic metres of gas. Even this amount could cost Ukraine up to 3 billion dollars (4.2 billion Canadian dollars), while current funds allow for the purchase of only about 396 million cubic metres of gas.