KIEV, July 19 - Ukraine has started modernization of its natural gas pipelines that move Russian gas to markets in Europe, seeking to remain the main transit route for Russian gas, the government reported Tuesday.

The project will not affect supplies of Russian gas to Europe as Ukraine will be using bypassing lines each time while upgrading a new section of the pipeline.

“Today we have very important event in the country, as Naftogaz begins modernization of the Ukrainian part of Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhgorod gas pipeline,” Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said in a statement.