Naftogaz is not ready for winter: Popenko spoke about how Ukraine buys gas at twice the price of summer prices.

Critical situation with Ukraine's gas reserves

Energy expert Oleg Popenko reported a serious problem with Ukraine's gas reserves that arose in January 2025. He shared this information during a broadcast with political scientist Yuriy Romanyenko. According to Popenko, Naftogaz for a long time asserted that Ukraine could provide itself with domestically produced gas this winter, but this turned out to be manipulation.

'Until today, Chernyshov and the current director of Naftogaz claimed that we would be able to survive this winter due to domestic production of Ukrainian gas. But today it turned out that there is no gas. We have only 10% of the reserves left, and we will start buying gas from February,' Popenko stated.

Popenko emphasized that the gas shortage has not only economic consequences but also raises serious concerns. Ukraine will have to buy gas at very high prices.

The expert noted that the situation is complicated by the fact that gas reserves have fallen to a critical level, even during a mild winter. 'Only 10% of reserves are left even in a mild winter - this is official information. We won't even be able to lift gas from the bottom, as there will be no pressure,' he explained.

According to Popenko, there are suspicions of corruption schemes related to gas purchases. Such schemes were previously used, when gas was purchased through intermediaries at a low price and resold to Naftogaz at a higher price. The expert noted the necessity of conducting an audit of the company.

Popenko urged state authorities to respond and conduct an investigation into the actions of Naftogaz management that led to the energy crisis.