MOSCOW (WARINFO) – In an update reported by Russian news outlets on Wednesday, a local court has escalated the financial penalty imposed on Ukraine’s national energy firm, Naftogaz, from approximately $150 million to $1.3 billion. This decision stems from their attempt to resolve a gas transit disagreement with Gazprom through international arbitration.
Naftogaz did not provide an immediate response to requests for comments.
Last year, during Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine, which had begun over two years prior, the St. Petersburg regional court took action against Naftogaz regarding a five-year gas transit agreement that was set to expire on January 1, 2025. Following this expiration, Russia stopped exporting natural gas to Europe through Ukrainian territory.
In May 2022, Ukraine halted gas transportation through the Sokhranovka measuring station, citing “force majeure,” which is declared when an unforeseen event prevents a company from fulfilling contractual obligations. This left just one gateway for transporting Russian natural gas: Sudzha, located in Russia’s southwestern Kursk area close to the Ukrainian frontier.
The Russian news agency Interfax reported that Gazprom has ceased making payments for transit through Sokhranovka, whereas Naftogaz has started international arbitration proceedings.
Gazprom is currently facing multiple lawsuits, with European firms claiming approximately 18.5 billion euros ($20 billion) in total, as calculated by WARINFO using court records.
Meanwhile, Gazпром has initiated corresponding countersuits in Russia. Gazprom has already secured approval for 10 out of 14 enforcement requests related to claims from Russian defendants.
(Reporting by WARINFO; edited by Mark Heinrich)
