Ukraine has funds for 70% of gas imports needed this winter, Zelenskiy says

By Dan Peleschuk and Pavel Polityuk

KYIV, Oct 28 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday Ukraine had secured the funds to buy 70% of the natural gas it needs to import this winter and that the Ukrainian government would make up the rest of the funding.

His comments appeared intended to reassure Ukrainians that their energy needs will be met this winter after Russia stepped up attacks on energy facilities in its war in Ukraine.

Warm weather has also provided a boost for Kyiv by allowing it to delay turning on the heating to apartments in cities across the country, thereby saving large amounts of gas.

HEATING SEASON TO START LATER THAN USUAL

Zelenskiy has said the "heating season" - under which the authorities turn on the centrally controlled heating supply to homes in cities - will begin almost two weeks later than usual.

"After all, gas is an important basis for heating. We have found 70% of the necessary amount (of money) for gas (imports). The government will provide the full amount required," Zelenskiy said in comments to reporters on Monday that were cleared for publication on Tuesday.

He added that gas imports depended exclusively on financial resources being available.

Russia has stepped up attacks on the energy sector as another winter looms after more than 3-1/2 years of war.

Russian drone and missile strikes have deprived Ukraine of 55% of domestic gas production, according to the head of the country's central bank, forcing the government to import an additional 4 billion cubic meters of natural gas to prevent cities from freezing.

In the latest attack overnight, gas facilities were damaged in the Poltava region in the centre of Ukraine.

Zelenskiy said last week that Ukraine may import gas worth around $2 billion from Europe, the United States and Azerbaijan this winter.

In peacetime, Ukraine provided heating to city facilities and apartments in time for the heating season that usually starts in mid-October as temperatures begin to drop.

This year, the heating season will begin on October 28 although the heat will be felt in flats a few days later, Zelenskiy said.

The unusually warm weather has enabled Ukraine to save up to 0.5 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas, according to energy analysts' estimates.

UKRAINE EXPANDS NUMBER OF REPAIR CREWS, AWAITS HELP

In addition to attacking the gas sector, Russia has struck electricity generation and distribution facilities, leading to prolonged blackouts in northern and eastern regions.

Ukraine has not disclosed the extent of the damage, but Zelenskiy said all that has been destroyed would be restored.

"So it's a constant struggle – we defend ourselves, they destroy, we rebuild. We are increasing the number of repair crews and rapid response teams," he said.

He said, without giving details, that Germany and Italy had promised assistance in purchasing equipment for electricity generation.