Gazprom continues to transport natural gas to Europe via Ukraine, but at a reduced daily volume of about 42.1 million cubic meters through the Sudzha gas measuring station. This figure was reported by TASS, citing company data.
An application to pump gas from Sokhranovka was rejected by Kyiv. A Gazprom spokesman noted that on March 23 the transit volume stood at 42.4 million cubic meters, while Ukrainian OGTSU had previously suggested on March 24 that transit could be around 42.1 million cubic meters.
The transit line through Ukraine remains the sole route for Russian gas supplies to Western and Central Europe following the shutdown of Nord Stream. Gas shipments through Turkish Stream and Blue Stream are directed toward Türkiye and nearby regions.
Since May 2022, transit via Ukraine has declined after OGTSU halted pumping through Sokhranovka in the area controlled by the LPR due to force majeure. Gazprom has contested the rationale for that cessation. In autumn 2022, Naftogaz filed for arbitration against Gazprom over transit fees, a move that Russia subsequently dismissed as illegitimate.
Before these changes, there were expectations that Ukraine could permit Russian gas passage only if Europe explicitly requested it.
European gas reserves have seen a decline, with storage levels dipping below the 69 percent mark in some periods, underscoring the ongoing vulnerability of gas supply chains dependent on multiple routes and political factors.