Ukraine cuts fuel imports in September by 5% amid smaller demand, analysts say

KYIV, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Ukraine reduced gasoline imports by 5% in September from August to 145,000 metric tons, mainly due to a seasonal decline in consumption, analysts at Kyiv-based A-95 consultancy said on Tuesday.

Ukraine is almost entirely reliant on imported fuel supplies because all of its oil refineries have been destroyed or seriously damaged during the war with Russia.

"Demand was also pressured by record-high retail prices this year, which prompted car owners to economize," the consultancy said in a report.

Retail prices for motor fuel in Ukraine rose up to 10% in the first half of September, tracking gains in European prices. Globally, fuel prices have been inflated by disruption caused by the US-Israeli war with Iran.

Russia has intensified attacks on Ukrainian petrol stations, both in the capital, Kyiv, and in frontline eastern regions, where it is seeking to disrupt logistics for Ukraine's military.

Ukraine has also targeted Russian refineries, causing major disruption to Russian fuel supplies.

A-95 said Ukraine imported fuel mostly from Lithuania — 32% of the imported volume, and Poland with 25% of the total.

Ukraine also imported fuel from Germany, Romania and Greece.

(Reporting by Pavel PolityukEditing by Tomasz Janowski)