Ukraine has pumped 21 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas into its underground storage facilities, to reach a 10-year high volume, according to Naftogaz.
Chief Executive Officer of Naftogaz, Andriy Kobolyev, wrote on his Facebook page that the company is ready to protect the energy independence of Ukraine next winter.
'Gas reserves in Ukraine’s underground storage facilities exceeded 21 bcm as of October 14,' Kobolyev said.
Last year, the country consumed around 32 bcm of natural gas.
In April 2014, Russia's gas giant, Gazprom, increased the gas price for Ukraine's state gas company, Naftogaz, by over 80% within days following the Russian occupation of Crimea.
In November 2015, Ukraine stopped natural gas imports from Russia. Since then Ukraine has received its gas supplies from EU countries.
Kiev gets Russian gas indirectly through reverse flows from neighboring EU countries, namely Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia.
By Murat Temizer
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr