Over the first ten months of 2026, the European Union imported Russian liquefied natural gas from the Yamal project worth approximately €8.7 billion. This is already 21% more than in the entire previous year, despite the approaching full ban on imports of Russian LNG.

This was reported on November 12 by The Kyiv Independent, citing a new study by the German organization Urgewald, which analyzed data from Kpler on maritime energy shipments.

According to analysts' calculations, from January to October, European ports received 177 shipments of Russian LNG totaling 12.89 million tons. This is 6.3% more than in the same period in 2025. EU countries accounted for about 81% of all gas deliveries from the Russian Arctic project.

For comparison, for the entire 2025, the value of LNG imports from Yamal to the European Union was estimated at about €7.2 billion. Thus, this year's figure has already exceeded last year's by almost €1.5 billion.

In October, Russian gas supplies to the EU decreased by 11% compared to September, but its total value increased. Ten tankers delivered about 706 thousand tons of LNG to European ports worth an estimated €839 million. This is 2.6% more than in the previous month due to rising market gas prices.

The largest recipient of Russian LNG in October was France, which accounted for about 70% of the supplies. Seven tankers arrived at French ports, two more to Spain, and one to the Netherlands. At the same time, the Belgian terminal Zeebrugge did not receive any shipments from Yamal during August-October.

Urgewald emphasizes that the amounts are estimated figures based on supply volumes and gas exchange prices. Actual prices under long-term contracts may differ, so these figures should not be equated with net revenues to the Russian budget.

From January 1, 2027, a full ban on imports of Russian liquefied gas, including under existing long-term contracts, is to come into force in the European Union. Restrictions on supplies under short-term contracts began to apply as early as April 25, 2026.

Urgewald analysts note that the loss of the European market could significantly complicate the operation of the Yamal project. Its exports largely depend on specialized ice-class tankers, and redirecting gas to Asia would require longer routes and higher transport costs.

Based on materials from: The Kyiv Independent, Berliner Zeitung, Council of the European Union