KIEV, April 14. / TASS /. The Economic Court of Kiev has rejected the claim of Russian gas giant Gazprom, in which the company challenged the fine imposed by the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (ACU) in the amount of 85.966 billion hryvnia ($3.374 bln at current exchange rate of Ukraine’s National Bank), the court’s press service reported.

"The reason for the return was improper execution of the claim - namely, the failure to prove the authority of the person who signed the lawsuit," according to the statement.

The ACU decided to fine Gazprom for the sum of 85.966 bln hryvnia for abuse of its monopoly position on the market of natural gas transit in Ukraine in January.

In its turn, Gazprom plans to appeal against the decision.

In its statement Gazprom said that it regards the decision of the ACU to fine the company as an attempt of putting pressure on it and intends to defend its interests.

"That is astonishing because the" Gazprom does not carry out any business activities on the territory of Ukraine and passes natural gas to Naftogaz of Ukraine on the western border of the Russian Federation. Such a decision by ACU cannot be regarded otherwise but as an attempt to put pressure on Gazprom," officials with the Russian company said.