KIEV, Dec. 19 - Gaz Ukrayiny, starting Dec. 20, announced it will significantly restrict natural gas supplies to debtor heat supply companies that have paid for less than 80% of the gas they have consumed as of that date.

Gaz Ukrayiny said that the level of payments of 25 heat supply companies as of Dec. 17 is from 1% to 68%, and their total debt to the company is around UAH137 million.

Unsatisfactory payments deprive Gaz Ukrayiny of funds to buy natural gas in the volumes needed to satisfy the demand from all consumers. The company will restrict gas supplies first to fraudulent payment evaders, reads the release.