MOSCOW, June 30. /ITAR-TASS/. Ukraine loaded up to 14.24 billion cubic meters of natural gas into its underground gas storage (UGS) facilities over the week from June 20 through June 27, the Association of European UGS operators (GSE) said on Monday.

As of June 20, as many as 14.092 billion cubic meters of gas were pumped into Ukraine’s UGSs. Therefore, the republic raised its UGS gas reserves by 148 million cubic meters on June 20-June 27. As of June 27, Ukraine’s UGSs are loaded by 44.57%

Every day, Ukraine loads 22.25 million cubic meters of gas into its underground gas storages, Naftogaz head Andrei Kolobov said earlier, explaining that the republic carries out its gas loading into UGSs owing to reverse supplies and its own gas extraction. Therefore, Ukraine is able to pump at least 1.7 billion cubic meters of gas into its facilities before the end of this summer. Ukraine should meet the winter season with 18 billion cubic meters of gas pumped into its UGSs.

On June 16, Russia’s gas giant Gazprom in compliance with its contract signed with Naftogaz halted gas supplies to Ukraine due to the absence of advanced payment for June’s gas deliveries. As of June 16, Ukraine can receive Russia’s gas only in the amounts, which were pre-paid. Under preliminary data, Russia received no money for gas in June.

Ukraine has got 12 underground gas storages with the total capacity of about 31 billion cubic meters. They are a part of Ukraine’s gas distribution network and the transit system to Europe via its territory.