Tensions Rise as Russian Gas Transits Ukraine Amid Clashes

Russian natural gas transit through Ukraine to Europe continues despite clashes near the Sudzha transfer station. Kyiv's gas transmission operator confirms uninterrupted flow. Russian forces have thwarted Ukrainian troop advances in Kursk. Current transit through Sudzha stands at 42 million cubic meters. Ukraine declines extending the 2024 transit deal.

Russian natural gas continued to transit Ukraine to European consumers as normal on Wednesday, according to Kyiv's gas transmission operator, amidst reports of clashes near Sudzha where Russian gas flows into Ukraine.

"As of 13:00 Kyiv time (1000 GMT), gas is being transported to European customers as usual, without any changes. Nominations have been confirmed and the physical flow of gas is maintained," the operator told Reuters. Russia's Gazprom noted it would send 39.4 million cubic meters (mcm) of gas to Europe via Ukraine on Wednesday, down from 42.4 mcm on Tuesday.

The Russian Defence Ministry said its forces thwarted an advance of Ukrainian troops deep into the border area in the Kursk region. Two Russian military blogs suggested, without providing evidence, that Ukrainian forces captured a gas measuring facility at Sudzha, a critical point for gas transit from Russia to Europe.

Reuters could not independently verify the situation on the ground. Sudzha remains the sole entry point for Russian gas into Ukraine, after the Ukrainian transit operator closed the alternative Sokhranivka branch in May 2022, citing unauthorized gas diversion by Russian-backed forces. Current gas transit through Sudzha is about 42 million cubic meters daily, with annual volumes totaling around 14 billion cubic meters.

The transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine is set to expire in 2024, and Kyiv has stated it does not intend to renew or replace the deal.