Europe imported a record 9.89mn tonnes of LNG from Russia’s Yamal plant in the first half of 2026, an 18 % rise year‑on‑year, valued at up to €6bn. France, Belgium and Spain were the top buyers, taking 3.6 mn, 2.9 mn and 2.7 mn tonnes respectively.

EU rules still permit only long‑term contract cargoes, but a ban on long‑term Russian LNG imports takes effect 2027, with pipeline gas prohibited later that year. Yamal’s output relies on a small fleet of Arc7 ice‑class tankers and European ports and shipyards; Asia‑bound shipments fell 74 % to just over 510,000 tonnes.

Urgewald’s Sebastian Rötters called the figures “stark,” noting they coincide with intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy sites. Total Energies CEO Patrick Pouyanné warned the firm may halt exports from Yamal due to “ambiguities” in the EU ban. The project is majority‑owned by Novatek, with stakes held by Total Energies and China’s CNPC.