MOSCOW, August 9 The application for gas transit from Russia through Ukraine increased slightly on Friday – to 38.45 million cubic meters, according to data from the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (GTSU).
The application for pumping gas through the Sudzha gas measuring station (GIS) as of August 9 is 38.45 million cubic meters, compared to 37.25 million the day before. Applications through the GIS «Sokhranovka» remain at zero. 
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At the same time, the application does not guarantee the actual pumping of gas. Gazprom reported the day before the supply of Russian gas through the Sudzha gas metering station in the volume confirmed by the Ukrainian side – 37.3 million cubic meters as of August 8.
The supply route via the Sudzha gas metering station is currently the only one for the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine to Europe. Gazprom delivered about 15 billion cubic meters via it in 2023, which amounted to 4.5% of the total consumption in the EU. Slovakia, Hungary, Austria and Italy also receive gas via the route.
Exchange prices for gas in Europe on Thursday, amid concerns about transit through Ukraine, exceeded $450 per thousand cubic meters for the first time since December 8.
Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov said that on August 6 at 5.30 am, units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces numbering up to a thousand people went on the offensive with the aim of seizing territory in the Sudzhansky district of the Kursk region. Their advance deep into Russian territory has been stopped, he noted. Also on Tuesday, the border town of Sudzha was subjected to repeated massive shelling from Ukraine. On Wednesday, the head of the settlement called the situation in the city «very tense.»