Gazprom is facing financial losses and is appealing to authorities for household gas price increases, as well as a rise in transportation tariffs for independent Russian suppliers. "The company was sacrificed on the altar of Putin's imperial ambitions,

Russian gas giant Gazprom , squeezed by plunging sales abroad as the Ukraine conflict prompts European buyers to turn away, is seeking to raise regulated prices at home to fund investment, Interfax news agency reported on Thursday.

Gazprom, facing financial difficulties, is appealing to the authorities for permission to raise prices for households and increase transport tariffs for independent Russian suppliers. "The company has been sacrificed on the altar of Putin's imperial ambitions,