--- title: "Energy Crisis 2026: 'Naftogaz' Prepares for Large-Scale Gas Import Amid Threats of Shelling and Leadership Change" description: "⚠️ Ukraine prepares for a difficult winter 2026: despite filled storage facilities, the threat of shelling requires urgent gas imports worth 400+ million euros. The appointment of former Prime Minister Yulianna Sviridenko as head of 'Naftogaz' is being discussed to stabilize the situation. 🇺🇦⚡️" date: 2026-08-13T04:08:02.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/naftogaz-gas-import-2026-sviridenko tags: [ukraine-war, naftogaz, energy-crisis, gas-import, sviridenko] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Energy Crisis 2026: 'Naftogaz' Prepares for Large-Scale Gas Import Amid Threats of Shelling and Leadership Change ![Collage featuring key Naftogaz figures, gas pipelines, tanker, and industrial plant — symbols of gas import amid 2026 energy crisis](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/13/naftogaz-import-gaza-2026-sviridenko/naftogaz-import-gaza-2026-sviridenko-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Gas reserves in UGS exceed the minimum, but the threat of attacks requires imports worth 400 million euros. - The risk of damage to compressor infrastructure may limit access to accumulated gas. - Former Prime Minister Yulianna Sviridenko is being considered for the post of head of 'Naftogaz'. - Official import estimates differ from the actual needs voiced by insiders. Amid the ongoing war and the approaching heating season of 2026, Ukraine faces critical challenges in the sphere of energy security. Despite gas storage facilities being filled ahead of schedule, experts and government officials warn of risks that could lead to fuel shortages. Russian attacks on infrastructure, including production facilities and the gas transmission system, are forcing Kyiv to revise its winter preparation strategies and seek additional resources. ### The Paradox of Full Storage and Import Threats As of August 12, 2026, Ukraine's underground gas storage (UGS) facilities have accumulated nearly 14 billion cubic meters of fuel. This exceeds the government-established minimum of 13.2 billion cubic meters required by the start of the heating season. Furthermore, maintaining current injection rates of approximately 35 million cubic meters per day, reserves could approach 16 billion cubic meters by October, which is 2.5 billion more than during the same period last year. However, optimism driven by high storage levels is overshadowed by the reality of combat operations. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated the necessity of importing gas worth 400 million euros, equivalent to 700–800 million cubic meters. Insiders from RBC-Ukraine clarify that this figure is merely a minimum. Actual needs may be significantly higher, as accumulated reserves do not guarantee uninterrupted supply in the event of infrastructure damage. ### Risk of Losing Access to Gas Due to Attacks The primary threat lies not so much in the volume of accumulated gas as in the physical ability to extract it. Andriy Chernyak, a representative of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense, warned that gas production facilities in the Poltava and Kharkiv regions, as well as the gas transmission system, could come under attack during the autumn-winter period. Particular concern is caused by the state of compressor infrastructure, which ensures gas withdrawal from UGS. The largest storage facility — Bilche-Volytske-Uherske in the Lviv region — is in a zone of potential risk. Damage to compressor stations could make accumulated gas inaccessible to consumers, even if it is physically present underground. On August 9 alone, dozens of attack drones were used against gas production facilities, causing significant destruction and halting operations. ### Personnel Changes: Yulianna Sviridenko at the Helm of 'Naftogaz' Against the backdrop of the escalating situation in the energy sector, large-scale personnel changes in the country's key company are being discussed. According to sources in the Verkhovna Rada and media outlets, former Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulianna Sviridenko may be appointed as the acting head of 'Naftogaz'. This appointment is viewed as an attempt to mobilize resources and ensure effective management during the crisis. Sviridenko, possessing experience in managing state structures, will have to solve complex tasks regarding the coordination of imports, restoration of damaged facilities, and ensuring the stability of the energy system. Her candidacy reflects the government's serious intent to prevent a collapse during the 2026 heating season. ### Contradictory Data There is a discrepancy in assessments of the scale of necessary imports. The officially announced figure of 400 million euros by Prime Minister Shmyhal is regarded by the government as the necessary minimum. However, RBC-Ukraine sources familiar with the actual winter preparation situation claim that the actual need is significantly higher. Experts point out that current forecasts do not account for possible large-scale infrastructure destruction, which could require emergency purchases of gas volumes many times larger. ### Forecasts for Winter 2026 Forecasts for Ukraine's energy sector for the upcoming winter remain extremely negative. The risk of electricity and gas outages depends on the intensity of Russian attacks. If the pace of production recovery slows down due to repeated strikes, periods of shortage may become more prolonged. Authorities urge the population to prepare for difficulties, but an accurate forecast is impossible due to the high volatility of the situation on the front. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Negotiations between the US, Ukraine, and Russia concluded in Abu Dhabi; strikes on Kyiv and Kharkiv. 1431st day of the war](https://www.rfi.fr/ru/%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0/20260124-%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D1%8F-%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B0-%D0%BC%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9-%D1%83%D0%B4%D0%B0%D1%80-%D0%BF%D0%BE-%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B5%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B9-%D0%B8-%D1%85%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%8C%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B9-%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D1%8F%D0%BC-%D0%B2-%D0%B0%D0%B1%D1%83-%D0%B4%D0%B0%D0%B1%D0%B8-%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%82-%D0%B2%D1%82%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B9-%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%8C-%D1%82%D1%80%D0%B5%D1%85%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%85-%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2-1430-%D0%B9-%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%8C-%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B9%D0%BD%D1%8B-%D1%80%D1%84-%D0%B2-%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B5) - Подтверждено по источнику rfi.fr - [Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Sviridenko may be appointed head of 'Naftogaz'](https://www.mk.ru/politics/2026/08/08/ekspremera-ukrainy-sviridenko-mogut-naznachit-glavoy-naftogaza.html) - Подтверждает информацию о возможном назначении Свириденко. - [The Rada reported on the possible appointment of Sviridenko as head of 'Naftogaz'](https://life.ru/p/1909396) - Подтверждает информацию из Верховной Рады о кадровых перестановках. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Why does Ukraine need gas imports if storage facilities are full? **A:** Despite high reserves, there is a risk of infrastructure damage, which could limit access to gas. Imports are necessary as insurance. ### Q: Who could head 'Naftogaz'? **A:** The candidacy of former Prime Minister Yulianna Sviridenko is being considered to manage the crisis period. ### Q: What volumes of gas does Ukraine plan to import? **A:** Officially, 400 million euros is announced, but insiders say significantly larger sums are needed.