Ukraine's gas imports remain at low level despite Russian attack on gas production

KYIV, March 7 (Reuters) - Ukrainian gas imports from Europe remained at relatively low levels on Friday despite a massive Russian missile attack on Ukrainian gas production overnight, data provided by the operator of the state-run gas transmission system showed.

Ukrainian state gas firm Naftogaz said Russian forces had targeted Ukraine's energy infrastructure, damaging the company's natural gas production facilities.

Ukrainian gas import volumes increased almost tenfold in February after a series of Russian missile attacks targeted Ukraine's gas facilities. The imports have decreased so far in March after a significant rise in temperatures.

The operator data showed that Ukraine planned to import 14.25 million cubic meters of gas on Friday versus 14.10 million on Thursday and compared to a record 26 million in mid-February.

The gas will come from Slovakia, Hungary and Poland.

Ukrainian ExPro consultancy said the country imported almost 512 million cubic meters of gas in February, the highest monthly volume since September 2023.

A senior industry source told Reuters last month that Ukraine could import up to 800 mcm of gas from Europe in February and March to compensate for lost production after the Russian missile strikes on energy infrastructure.

Ukraine uses gas mainly for heating homes, for chemical and metallurgical production and for cooking.