Ukraine Has 33% Less Gas in Storage Than 2024: Needs More Before Winter

As of May 1, Ukraine’s underground gas storage held 5.7 billion cubic meters, or 18.4% of its designed capacity and 33% less than at the same period last year, the consulting agency ExPro reported.

Russian strikes on Ukrainian gas infrastructure at the start of 2025 have reportedly deprived Ukraine of 50% of its domestic production capability, meaning the country will need to import more gas for the heating season from European partners.

At the start of last year’s withdrawal season, on Nov. 1, Ukraine had 12.92 billion cubic meters of gas in storage. To reach a similar level by this November, the country needs to inject 7.2 billion cubic meters between May and October, ExPro stated. 

The article says that part of that will come from domestic production, though it’s still limited after Russian missile strikes in February and March. Ukraine will have to import the rest – about 3 to 5 billion cubic meters.

Ukrainian private gas companies have reduced production by 32% as a result of the full-scale war, while state-owned companies experienced only a 6% drop.

In April 2025, Ukraine injected 258 million cubic meters of gas into its storage. Active reserves totaled just over 960 million cubic meters on May 1, according to ExPro estimates.

Gas injections in 2025 started on April 17 with just 2.1 million cubic meters. Volumes grew steadily and reached 35 million cubic meters on April 30 – the highest daily amount since the beginning of this year’s injection season, ExPro reported.

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Compared to April 2024, injections dropped by 44%, down from 460 million cubic meters to 258 million cubic meters. The main reason is the later start this year – April 17 instead of March 31, compared to last year.

To start preparing for the 2025 winter heating season, Ukraine’s state-owned gas giant Naftogaz has secured €430 million ($489 million) from the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

In addition, the EBRD is lending Naftogaz €270 million ($307 million) to finance emergency gas purchases for the next two heating seasons, EBRD Vice President Matteo Patrone told Kyiv Post.

With reserves at historic lows, the government must spend up to $3.5 billion on gas imports and protective infrastructure. Otherwise, Ukrainians will lack sufficient gas for heating and business operations during winter 2025-2026.