Russian gas supplies to Croatia were completely cut off Tuesday amid the payments dispute between Russia and Ukraine, official Croatian news agency Hina reported.

It is necessary to reduce natural gas supply in certain sections in accordance with government's regulations, the agency said, citing a statement from Croatian oil and gas company INA.

The underground storage and the gas produced by the INA cannot make up for the shortfall, the agency reported.

INA called on consumers to reduce gas consumption and promised that supply to households would remain the priority for the company.

Russia cut off gas supplies to Ukraine on January 1 after the two sides failed to reach a new agreement on gas prices for 2009 and debt repayments. About 80 percent of Russia's gas exports to Europe pass through Ukraine.

(Xinhua News Agency January 7, 2009)