KIEV, Sept. 4 - Ukraine will stash a record amount of natural gas in its underground tanks ahead of the high demand season to ensure steady supplies of gas from Russia to Europe, an official said Tuesday.

Energy and Fuel Minister Yuriy Boyko said Ukraine will accumulate 32 billion cubic meters of gas by Oct. 15, up from 25 billion cubic meters stashed one year ago. Ukraine had 20 billion cu m of gas as of Aug. 1, according to the ministry.