The operator of the Ukrainian gas transport system, public joint-stock company Ukrtransgaz, a subsidiary of national joint-stock company Naftogaz Ukrainy, in the past days recorded sharp drops in gas pressure maintained at the Sudzha gas metering station, the entry point to the Ukrainian gas transport system from the direction of Russia.

"The recent largest drop of gas pressure was at Sudzha gas metering station was recorded at 08:00 in the morning on Tuesday: 49.7 atmospheres instead of 60 atmospheres under the contract," Naftogaz said on Tuesday.

According to the report, Russia's Gazprom also violates the conditions of the transit contract in relation to the largest daily fluctuations of applications for gas pumping at the exit points from the Ukrainian gas transport system. They cannot exceed 4.5% for the Uzhgorod point, while in some days of February the indicator was twice more than the limit.

In addition, in some periods of February the quality of gas supplied to the Ukrainian gas transport system from Russia did not meet physicochemical parameters foreseen in the contract, Naftogaz said.

"The systemic violation of the conditions of the gas transit contract by Gazprom creates risks for stable gas supplies to Europe," the company said.

Naftogaz said that despite the artificially created obstacles by Russia the company continues stably supplying gas to Europe.

"All applications of importers of Russian gas are accomplished in accordance with the terms," the company said.

Naftogaz said that the European Commission has quickly received a report about the sudden drop in pressure at the Sudzha gas metering station.

"Naftogaz and the European Commission are alarmed with the situation when Russia does not fulfill its contract liabilities. The parties are waiting that Gazprom would present explanations and change the situation for stable supplies of gas to European consumers," the company said.