"At 09:20 [a.m. Moscow time, 06:20 GMT] today, Gazprom received a payment of $15 million from the Naftogaz of Ukraine. Under present delivery volumes, this payment is enough for approximately 24 hours," he told reporters.
The transfer of the funds was earlier confirmed by Ukraine's Naftogaz.
"We confirm this," Naftogaz's press secretary told RIA Novosti by telephone.
In 2014, there was almost a six-month break in Russian gas deliveries to Ukraine due to the latter's outstanding debt, exceeding $5 billion at the time. In June, Gazprom switched Naftogaz to a prepayment system.
Gas deliveries resumed only in December following lengthy talks involving the European Commission, which resulted in the so-called "winter package" deal. The deal, which expires on April 1, 2015, stipulates that Ukraine must cover its debt, and pay Russia in advance for all future gas supplies.
