Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

Moscow, January 5 (Interfax) - As much as 60 million cubic meters of gas have been undersupplied to Europe in 24 hours because Ukraine is continuing to siphon off gas from the export gas pipeline, Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov said.

"Ukraine is continuing to siphon off Russian gas that Gazprom is shipping to Europe. From 10:00 a.m. January 4 to 10:00 a.m. January 5, Gazprom pumped 303 million cubic meters of gas into the Ukrainian gas transportation system in line with European consumers' orders and an effective contract on gas transit through Ukrainian territory. Only 268 million cubic meters of gas were received at the other end, and 35 million cubic meters of gas disappeared in Ukraine like in a black hole. If you add this amount to 25 million cubic meters undersupplied to the company RosUkrEnergo, then the aggregate shortage in Europe makes 60 million cubic meters," Kupriyanov said.