Ukraine had gas supplies from Russia turned off today after it missed a deadline to pay nearly £1.2billion in overdue bills. A spokesman for Gazprom, Russia's state-controlled energy giant, said that from now on the company would demand that Kiev pay in advance for gas. While the decision does not immediately affect gas flow to the rest of Europe, analysts warned it could disrupt the whole region's long-term energy supply. Any shortage could see heating bills rocket. Scroll down for video A Gazprom worker at gas measuring station Sudzha, in Kursk, Russia just 200 metres from the Ukrainian border. Russia has stopped delivering gas to Ukraine after the country missed a deadline to pay its bills
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Analysts warn that decision could disrupt gas stockpiles for the winter
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Ukraine's pipelines also carry gas being sold to countries further west
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Gazprom warns of 'disruption' in case Ukraine decides to siphon off gas
Western Europe's energy bloodstream: @placeholder provides about a quarter of the gas used by Europe, making it the continent's biggest single supplier.