Ukraine has lost a significant portion of its own gas production due to massive strikes by the Russian Federation on its energy infrastructure. This was reported by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko during a conversation with journalists in November.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Heating Season Needs and Funding
According to the head of the government, 1.9 billion euros are needed to ensure a smooth winter. Currently, 70% of this amount has already been secured. The funds were provided by the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, as well as partners from Norway and the European Union.
“We have secured 70% of the funds for gas purchases to prepare for winter – these are funds from the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, funds from Norway, and funds from the EU.”
Svyrydenko emphasized that the government continues to search for an additional 750 million euros needed to fully cover the needs. She noted that these funds could be obtained in the form of grants, loans, or through the Ukrainian banking sector.
Heating Season Situation and Consequences of Russian Attacks
The Prime Minister stressed that the government is doing everything possible to guarantee warmth in citizens’ homes and to create the necessary reserves for winter. Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky also reported a lack of funds for gas imports.
Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine, Minister of Community and Territorial Development Oleksiy Kuleba clarified that the heating season started as planned: heating was supplied to social facilities from October 15, and to private households from October 28.
In recent months, Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector, causing significant damage to gas infrastructure. It is known that these strikes have destroyed more than half of the country’s domestic natural gas production, forcing Ukraine to increase energy imports to get through the heating season.