Dmytro Firtash's Group DF believes that the statements of Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk on the possible nationalization of Cherkasy Azot and Rivneazot are provocative and aimed at the redistribution of the mineral fertilizer market.

"We believe this statement is provocative and aimed at only manipulating with public opinion with the purpose of redistributing the mineral fertilizer market," reads the group's statement which was released on June 5.

The group said that the debts of Cherkasy Azot and Rivneazot mentioned by Yatseniuk were accumulated in 2010-2011, before they became part of Group DF.

"Ostchem acquired these enterprises on the secondary market and made all possible [efforts] to restructure and pay the debts accumulated earlier and provide jobs to thousands of chemical workers," the press service said.

Group DF insists that Cherkasy Azot and Rivneazot were halted due to actions of representatives of the People's Front party.

Group DF said that the cost of gas belonging to Ostchem which has been seized is UAH 3.8 billion, and the debts of the state companies to Ostchem are worth over UAH 4 billion.

"The debts of state structures to Ostchem and the cost of the illegally arrested gas total around UAH 8 billion, which is almost twice more than the debt of Ostchem's companies to the state. Knowing this, authorities actually started the illegal seizure of our business," Group DF said.

The press service said that the chemical enterprises of Group DF will start operating as soon as the gas seized by the state is released.