Due to Russia's attacks on gas production sites, Ukraine has suffered a major loss of its own natural gas production.
Ukraine expects a significant increase in the cost of natural gas for the population. Ukrainian consumers may receive bills for new prices as early as the summer of 2025.
This was reported by energy expert Oleg Popenko, as reported by Novosti.Live.
According to Popenko’s forecasts, the cost of gas may rise to 9.5–10 UAH per cubic meter in the summer of 2025, which is not so noticeable for Ukrainians during the warm season.
“It is difficult to rely on our own production due to the situation at the front. If the Russian Federation continues to attack gas distribution facilities in the regions, it will be a difficult task to provide the population. Russia has already dealt crushing blows to Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Ternopil and other regions,” he said.
He noted that the state will have to release prices for blue fuel. Such a step will ensure the normal passage of the upcoming heating season. According to estimates, Ukraine will have to buy an additional 3-4 billion cubic meters of fuel. We are talking about significant costs, since the price on the fuel market reaches about $ 500 per cubic meter.
Let us recall that during martial law in Ukraine there is a ban on increasing tariffs for heat, gas and hot water. According to Law No. 2479-IX, there is currently a moratorium on increasing gas prices for the population. The cost currently remains unchanged – 7.96 thousand UAH per thousand cubic meters (including VAT).
The Cabinet of Ministers officially extended the special obligations for gas supplies the day before. According to the government's decision, gas prices for consumers are guaranteed not to change until the end of the heating season, i.e. April 30, 2025. This applies, in particular, to household consumers, i.e. the population, as well as heat and electricity producers and gas distribution system operators.
The NBU reported that utility tariffs will remain unchanged in 2025. However, from 2026, a gradual reduction in tariffs to economically justified levels is expected.