Naftogaz CEO Oleksiy Chernyshev met Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov and the head of the Kharkiv regional military administration, Oleh Synyehubov, according to the website of Naftogaz Group.
"The city is under constant threat due to possible shelling. Our task is to provide the residents of Kharkiv and the region with gas, and, of course, heating, during this winter," Chernyshov said.
He commended the readiness of gas networks for the start of the heating season.
"Cooperation with the local authorities is constructive. Despite the military risks, Kharkiv continues to develop as much as it can in these conditions. Its condition could make some of our cities that are not located in military zones or frontline regions envious of the performance of local authorities in this regard," he added.
According to mayor Terekhov, despite the military risks, Kharkiv is 100% ready for the heating season.
The readiness for the heating season in Kharkiv Region remains under special control due to the war, said Terekhov.
"The readiness of Kharkiv Region requires special attention. The region has been preparing for this winter for the past year. We have prepared as much as we could. Communities worked, community leaders worked. The regional military administration was constantly involved. Now it is important that the residents of Kharkiv Regiom be provided with gas," said Chernyshov.
He noted that the main challenge now is military risks. "But the gas distribution networks and Naftogaz Group have made contingency preparations to respond in such cases."
"The region is now fully prepared for the autumn and winter period. After last year's shelling, we restored the maximum number of destroyed buildings. And we continue to do so," governor Synyehubov confirmed.
He insisted on bringing it home to people that the winter will be difficult, as Russia will continue to terrorise the population with shelling.
"However, we are ready to respond to emergencies in order to provide heating to the residents of Kharkiv Region," he concluded.
Earlier, Chernyshov met the staff of the Kharkiv city and regional branch of Gazmerezhi.