KIEV, March 5 - A total of 19.2 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas transited Ukrainian territory en route to Europe and countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States in January-February, 70% or 8.1 bcm more than in the same period in 2009, the Fuel and Energy Ministry told Interfax.

February gas transit totaled 9 bcm.

Gas in underground storage facilities decreased by 4.1 bcm in February to 15 bcm on March 1, a ministry spokesman said.