Ukraine increases gas imports via Transbalkan route amid intensifying Russian strikes

Import data from transit operators shows that Ukraine will dramatically increase its gas imports via southern Transbalkan route, which links it to Greece on Friday in order to replace supplies lost because of Russian attacks.

In recent months, drone and missile attacks on Kyiv's infrastructure has forced it to import 4 billion cubic meters of additional gas to cover the gap.

Operator data indicated that Ukraine anticipated to import 2,28 million cubic meters of gas via this route on Friday, compared with 1,28 million on Thursday. It did not provide any further figures.

In early November, after a dramatic increase in Russian attacks, Ukraine resumed its gas imports through the Transbalkan route. This route crosses Moldova and Romania as well as Bulgaria.

Data from the same operator showed that Ukraine was planning to import 23 mcm on Friday from other sources, including about 10 mcm each from Hungary and Poland, as well as about 4.8 million mcm each from Slovakia. This is in line with previous volumes.

Ukraine uses gas primarily for heating homes and producing electricity.

Ukrenergo, the national grid operator, said that more than 400,000 customers had been without power as of noon on Thursday. Russia continued to strike energy facilities in eastern Ukraine overnight and into Friday.

This month, Ukraine's nuclear sector was rocked by a scandal involving corruption that led to the resignation of both the energy and justice ministers. (Reporting and editing by Andrew Heavens; Reporting by Pavel Polityuk)

(source: Reuters)