Ukraine PM:Naftogaz Raid Linked To RosUkrEnergo

A raid by Ukrainina security forces on state energy firm Naftogaz on Wednesday was aimed at paralysing the country's gas system, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko said.

It was linked to 11 billion cubic metres of gas claimed by a gas intermediary, Tymoshenko said.

"This is a fight over 11 billion cubic metres of gas which now belongs to Ukraine. The shadowy corporation, RosUkrEnergo, wanted to claim ownership, but the government will not allow that," she told reporters after talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

RosUkrEnergo, previously a gas intermediary between Russia and Ukraine, was long accused by Tymoshenko of corruption. Under a deal signed in January, Russia and Ukraine agreed to eliminate it from the gas trade.