KIEV, March 3 - Russian interests have been trying to take over the regional energy company ChornomorNaftoGaz, Ukrainian Energy and Coal Industry Minister Yuriy Prodan said Monday.

“Attempts are being made to forcibly take over the company,” Prodan said. “Actions like that, such as meddling with the energy, power and gas transportation systems, can have severe consequences.”

ChornomorNaftoGaz, a subsidiary of the national energy company Naftogaz Ukrayiny, is the sole producer of natural gas and oil from offshore fields in the Black Sea.