KIEV, July 31 – Ukraine accumulated 25.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas in its underground gas storage facilities as of July 31, Fuel and Energy Minister Yuriy Boyko reported.

"Today, the underground storage facilities already have 25.5 billion cubic meters [of natural gas]. This is double the amount year-on-year," he said on Ukrainian television.

The minister also said that it is planned to increase the gas stocks to 31-31.5 bcm by the beginning of the heating season.