DISINFO: In Ukraine, pensioners freeze without Russian gas
SUMMARY
The Ukrainian authorities say that they do not need Russian gas. But in reality, Ukrainian pensioners freeze, because they were left without heating on the eve of winter.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin narrative claiming that Ukraine will not survive without Russian gas and that it is necessary to conclude a contract with Gazprom.
By the beginning of winter 2019, the underground storage facilities of Ukrtransgaz (the service company which belongs to Naftogaz of Ukraine) had accumulated 20 billion cubic metres of gas. This indicator is the highest Ukrainian gas reserves for nine years.
As of 5 November 2019, in Ukraine, 88.9% of housing facilities and 92.8% of social facilities were connected to heating. The availability of heating at the remaining facilities continues as normal.
In November 2015, Kyiv refusedto purchase gas for the state’s needs from the Russian monopoly Gazprom. At the moment, all the gas used by Ukraine is acquired exclusively on its Western borders. See previous cases about gas and Ukraine here.