MOSCOW, Sept. 12 - Imports of Ukrainian pipes to Russia in January-July grew 3.8% to 347,700 tons, according to the Russian Federal Customs Service.

According to the Fund for the Development of the Russian Pipe Industry, "the growth of imports of some sorts of pipe is already threatening." In particular, there were 125,400 tons of pipes with diameter of 1,420 mm imported during seven months of 2005, a 14% increase.