Zelenskiy: Ukraine has the funds to import 70% of the gas needed for this winter.

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said that Ukraine has secured funds to purchase 70% of its natural gas needs for this winter. He also stated that the Ukrainian Government would cover the remaining funding.

He appeared to be reassuring Ukrainians that they will have enough energy this winter, after Russia intensified its attacks on energy infrastructure in its war against Ukraine.

The warm weather also helped Kyiv save gas by delaying the turn-on of the heating in apartments across the country.

HEATING SEASON WILL START LATER THAN USUAL

Zelenskiy said that the "heating seasons" (when the authorities switch on centrally controlled heating to homes in cities) will start almost two weeks later than normal.

Gas is a very important heating source. We have 70% of the money needed for gas imports. Zelenskiy told reporters in comments made on Monday, that they were allowed to publish on Tuesday, "The government will pay the entire amount."

He said that the gas imports were solely dependent on financial resources.

After more than three-and-a half years of war, Russia has intensified its attacks on the energy industry.

According to the head the the central bank of Ukraine, Russian drone and missile attacks have caused Ukraine to lose 55% of its domestic gas production. This has forced the government to import 4 billion cubic meters more natural gas in order to keep cities from freezing.

Gas facilities in the Poltava Region in central Ukraine were damaged overnight in the latest attack.

Zelenskiy stated last week that Ukraine could import gas from Europe, Azerbaijan and the United States worth around $2 billion this winter.

In peacetime Ukraine provides heating for city facilities and apartments just in time for heating season, which usually begins in mid-October when temperatures start to drop.

Zelenskiy stated that the heating season would begin this year on October 28, although it will feel hotter in the flats several days later.

According to estimates by energy analysts, the unusually warm weather in Ukraine has allowed Ukraine to save as much as 0.5 billion cubic meters (bcm) gas.

UKRAINE EXPANDS THE NUMBER REPAIR CREWS AND AWAITS HELP

Russia also attacked electricity distribution and generation facilities in the north and east regions, causing prolonged blackouts.

Zelenskiy, who is the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States, said that the full extent of damage has yet to be disclosed.

"It's a continuous struggle. We defend ourselves, then they destroy and we rebuild." He said that we are increasing the number repair crews and quick response teams.

He stated, without providing details, that Germany, Italy, and other countries had offered to help with the purchase of equipment for electricity production. (Reporting and editing by Timothy Heritage; Pavel Polityuk, Dan Peleschuk)

(source: Reuters)