KIEV, Sept. 30 - Ukraine consumed 32.357 billion cubic meters of natural gas in the first eight months of 2013, 7.7% less than the same period last year, the Energy and Coal Industry Ministry said.

Consumption in August declined 6.1% year-on-year to 1.948 bcm.

Gas imports to Ukraine fell 28.7% to 15.313 bcm, but rose 4.6% in August to 2.858 bcm.