Ukraine significantly increased natural gas imports from Europe in 2025. The reasons behind the growth in import volumes, who imported gas, and the structure of supply are discussed in ExPro material.
More detailed information on gas imports to Ukraine, including which private companies imported gas in 2025, from which directions, and at what prices, will be available in the next issue of ExPro Gas&Oil Monthly, accessible by subscription.
Natural gas imports to Ukraine in 2025 reached 6.47 bcm, according to ExPro estimates. This is the highest level of gas imports to Ukraine in the past five years, since 2020.
Compared to 2024, gas import volumes increased almost ninefold, from 724 mcm to 6.47 bcm.
Reasons for the growth in imports
The increase in gas imports to Ukraine in 2025 was driven by a shortage of natural gas in the country, which in turn was caused by several key factors:
- First, massive Russian attacks on gas production facilities led to the loss of significant volumes of domestic natural gas production. According to Naftogaz CEO Sergii Koretskyi, attacks in 2025 were the most intense since the start of the war. The largest attacks on production were recorded in February and October 2025, when production fell by 40-60%, according to various estimates.
- Second, low gas inventories at the beginning of the year. Due to low gas stocks in Ukrainian underground storage facilities in January 2025, following Russian attacks, Ukraine urgently had to import gas to cover the current needs of the 2024-2025 heating season. Imports continued during the summer as part of preparations for the 2025-2026 season.
- Third, in the second half of the year, natural gas prices on the Ukrainian market were higher than in Europe, making commercial gas imports economically attractive. Ukraine returned to “import parity plus” pricing.
Import structure
Imports during the year
Throughout 2025, natural gas imports were uneven. The lowest import volumes were recorded in January 2025, at just 43 mcm. At that time, Ukraine and Naftogaz were not yet planning significant gas imports, intending to get through the heating season using domestically produced gas.
Already in February 2025, gas import volumes surged to 512 mcm, the highest level in one and a half years. The increase in imports in February was a direct consequence of Russian attacks at the beginning of the month. In March-April, gas imports remained at 220-280 mcm per month, lower than in February but higher than throughout 2024.
The highest monthly import volume was recorded in July 2025, at 833 mcm, which was also the highest level in almost two years, since September 2023. The growth in imports in July was linked to active preparations for the heating season.
Where did the gas come from?
Ukraine imported natural gas from various directions, although western neighbors remained the traditional routes: Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland.
The largest volumes in 2025 were imported from Hungary, at 2.94 bcm, or 45.5% of total imports. Poland ranked second, with 2.1 bcm imported during the year, or 32.5% of total imports. Hungary and Poland remained the most attractive import routes due to the lowest tariffs. In certain months, especially toward the end of the year, import capacities from Hungary and Poland were used to the maximum.
In addition, 1.33 bcm of natural gas was imported from Slovakia in 2025, accounting for 20.5% of total imports. Although import capacities from Slovakia are the largest, this route is less popular due to higher tariffs compared to Hungary or Poland.
In 2025, Ukraine also stepped up natural gas imports from the South (the Trans-Balkan route or Vertical Corridor), totaling 97 mcm, or 1.5% of total imports. While this route’s share in the overall structure remains small, its role is increasing.
In mid-year, Route 1 was launched, a joint capacity booking product of the GTS operators of Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece. The product allows gas to be transported from Greece to Ukraine at special reduced tariffs. Over the year, more than 70 mcm of natural gas was transported via this route, according to ExPro estimates. Gas was imported mainly by private companies.
Who imported gas?
The largest importer of natural gas in 2025 was the state-owned Naftogaz of Ukraine, which imported more than 5.5 bcm, according to ExPro estimates. The state company is essentially responsible for ensuring the heating season and, amid a gas deficit, was obliged to import significant volumes. Naftogaz imported natural gas using its own funds as well as loans and grants from partners, including the EBRD, the EIB, Norway, Ukrainian banks, and the government.
Another state company, the GTS Operator of Ukraine, imported around 165 mcm of natural gas in 2025. The company imported gas mainly toward the end of the year, fulfilling government obligations to purchase 340 mcm of imported gas between October 2025 and March 2026.
In addition, private companies imported nearly 770 mcm of natural gas in 2025. In the first half of the year, private companies mainly imported gas for sale to Ukrtransgaz of the Naftogaz Group, totaling nearly 200 mcm. Toward the end of the year, private companies imported gas for sale on the domestic market, as prices in Ukraine were significantly higher than in Europe.
Gas imports in 2026
Given the damage to domestic natural gas production, Ukraine will need to import certain volumes of natural gas in the coming years and will remain an import-dependent country.
In Q1 2026, as in 2025, Naftogaz is likely to remain the largest importer. This trend may persist throughout the year. The company could import several bcm of gas in 2026.
Actual natural gas import volumes in 2026 will depend on the course of the war. The condition of domestic gas production and consumption levels will directly affect gas import volumes in 2026 and in subsequent years.
More details on who imports natural gas to Ukraine, volumes, routes, prices, as well as forecasts for gas imports in 2026, will be available in the next issue of ExPro Gas&Oil Monthly, accessible by subscription.
Where to find natural gas market analytics?
Detailed analytics of the natural gas market in Ukraine, including production, imports, exports, UGS reserves, trading results, natural gas prices, key news, etc., are published in specialized publications ExPro Daily Gas, ExPro Gas&Oil Weekly, and ExPro Gas&Oil Monthly.
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Михайло Свищо