Ukraine begins to cover Russian gas bill

Prosecutor General Viktor Pshonka said Ukraine has made a small down payment on the $390 million debt United Energy Systems owes Russia. "Payments have started [and] $7.5 million have already been paid to Russia," Pshonka said referring to the debt owed by the state-run energy company once headed by former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko. Tymoshenko has been jailed over abuse of office charges that stemmed from her part in negotiating a gas deal with Russia in 2009. Tymoshenko and her attorneys have said the charges against her were trumped up by President Viktor Yanukovych. Tymoshenko, who is serving a seven-year sentence, also has been accused of tax evasion and forgery, charges her defense team also consider to be retribution by a political rival.