SIMFEROPOL (Sputnik) — Crimea began pumping gas to Henichesk on Saturday after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered it at he request of the town's residents.
"The valves were opened yesterday, the pressure in the gas pipe has leveled. Because of the high temperatures [it is 14-15 degrees above zero (57-59 degrees Fahrenheit) in Simferopol], the pumping is not so strong… With a decrease in outside temperature, the supply amounts will increase," Sergei Aksenov told journalists.
The administration of the Kherson region, in which Henichesk is located, has denied receiving gas from Crimea.
Russia has already supplied gas to Henichesk. On January 4, Russia turned on the gas for Henichesk after the request of local authorities. The request had been reportedly made by Henichesk Mayor Alexander Tulupov after Ukraine's infrastructure failed to supply enough natural gas to the town to provide residents with heating amid severe weather conditions.
