MOSCOW, 27 Feb - RIA Novosti/Prime. Russia considers a high risk of selection Ukraine gas transit, as in its underground storage (UGS) there are only 2-3 billion cubic meters of "active" gas, said Last news Russian energy Minister Alexander Novak.

"Will provide reliable gas transit to European consumers, even if the Ukrainian side does not notify the fresh gas? We believe that there are risks, as today the selection of gas from underground storage facilities are already limited due to the fact that there were medium-sized seized the remains of the gas. According to our assumptions, 8 billion cubic meters ", - said the Minister.

The Minister reminded that 5-6 billion cubic meters of this volume is the so - called buffer gas (which must continuously be in UGS and which you cannot use).

"for this reason, consumption is not enough gas in his Ukrainian side and reverse. Analysis of the " Naftogaz ", presumably about 2 billion cubic meters of them still need to finish the autumn-winter period, which will last at least March, " said Novak.

sections: Politics