Ukraine owes $2.44 billion on gas contracts as of today and Gazprom has notified its Ukrainian partners of this in writing, the Russian gas giant's CEO, Alexei Miller, said at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

"Today, Gazprom has written to Naftogaz Ukrainy, informing them that $2.196 billion debt remains outstanding, and that penalties are being accrued for overdue payments in strict compliance with the terms of the contract signed on January 21, 2009," Miller said.

He said the amount in question was $2.44 billion.