Ukraine to halt some Russian gas flows to Europe
KHARKIV: Ukraine yesterday prepared to suspend the flow of some Russian gas to Europe through a key transit point, as it claimed battlefield gains over invading Kremlin forces, including recapturing four villages around the second city of Kharkiv.
Ukraine has remained a major route for Russian gas to Europe even after President Vladimir Putin ordered the February 24 invasion. Mounting Western sanctions are seeking to ban or phase out the use of Russian energy.
Blaming Moscow for the move, Ukraine’s gas operator said it would redirect the gas from the Sokhranivka transit point, which is in an area occupied by Russian forces, to another in a Ukrainecontrolled area.
Russian gas producer Gazprom last night said it continued shipping gas to Europe via Ukraine with volumes at 72 million cu m, down from 95.8 million cu m on Tuesday.
Volumes declined after figures for Russian gas transit via Ukraine at the Sokhranovka entry point for yesterday fell to zero, data from Ukraine’s gas pipeline operator said.
Russia’s main force has been trying to encircle Ukrainian troops in the eastern Donbas region, using the city of Izyum near Kharkiv, in the country’s northeast, as a base.
Ukrainian troops have so far mostly held out against assaults from three directions, and top US intelligence officials yesterday said the war was at a stalemate.
A Russian victory in the Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region might not end the war, director of national intelligence Avril Haines said.
But the counterattack near Kharkiv could signal a new phase, with Ukraine now going on the offensive with supply lines into Russia now potentially vulnerable.
In the south, Ukrainian armed forces said they struck nine enemy targets, with enemy losses of 79 servicemen. — Reuters