KIEV, Oct. 6 - Ukraine’s consumption of natural gas decreased by 15.5% year-on-year to 27.34 billion cubic meters in January-August, down from 32.36 billion cu m consumed a year ago, the energy and coal industry ministry said Monday.

In August Ukraine consumed 1.34 Bcm of gas, down from 1.95 Bcm consumed in August 2013 and down from 1.35 Bcm consumed in July, the ministry said.

Ukraine is struggling to reduce consumption of natural gas after Russia, its main supplier, cut to zero supplies to the country on June 16, citing price and debt payment disagreements.