MOSCOW, August 23. /TASS/. Ukraine has accumulated only about 9.6 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas in the underground storages by the end of August, which is 72% of the minimum volume of 13.2 billion cubic meters required to get through the winter, TASS calculations show.

Ukraine had previously virtually abandoned gas imports from Europe due to high prices and is filling its storages only with its own production, but these volumes will not be enough to prepare for the winter.

If the current rates are maintained, Ukraine will be able to pump an additional 2.2-2.5 bcm into the storages by November 1; the total volume will amount to no more than 12.1 bcm.

Ukraine planned to boost the gas reserves to 14.6 bcm by winter.