KIEV, May 28 - Consumption of gas in Ukraine contracted 4.7% year-on-year - or by 1.305 billion cubic meters (bcm) - to 26.400 bcm in the first four months of this year, the country's Energy and Coal Industry Ministry reported.

Ministry figures indicate that gas consumption was down 20.8% year-on-year - or by 914.9 million cubic meters (mcm) - at 3.475 bcm just in April.