Europe imported more liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia’s largest LNG project than ever before during the first half of 2026, absorbing almost the facility’s entire output just months before the European Union’s ban on Russian gas imports is set to take effect.

European Union purchases from Yamal LNG, which is controlled by the Russian private energy company Novatek, reached a record 9.89 million tonnes during the first six months of the year. This represents an 18% increase compared with the same period last year, according to data from analytics firm Kpler.

The figures highlight the crucial role Europe continues to play in sustaining the operations of Russia’s flagship energy facility, as Moscow’s war against Ukraine enters its fifth year.

Europe may have paid as much as €6 billion for these shipments, according to estimates by the non-governmental organization Urgewald.

The main European buyers were France, Belgium and Spain, which imported 3.6 million, 2.9 million and 2.7 million tonnes respectively from Yamal during the first half of 2026, according to Kpler data.

“These figures are revealing,” said Sebastian Roetters, sanctions campaigner at Urgewald, adding that they are even more concerning because they cover a period during which Russia intensified its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and civilian targets.

Source: energypress.gr