European ports received record volumes of Russian gas from Yamal

European countries spent a record 7,28 billion euros in the first eight months of 2026 on purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Russian Arctic project Yamal LNG. That is almost as much as they spent on Russian gas in the whole of 2025.

This is reported by Euronews, citing the findings of an investigation by the German environmental organization Urgewald.

According to the study, in January–August European ports received 156 shipments of LNG from Yamal LNG totaling 11,39 million tonnes. In the same period of 2025, 142 shipments totaling 10,34 million tonnes were delivered. Thus, supply volumes increased by 10,1%.

The bulk of Arctic maritime shipments are carried by vessels of two European companies — Scotland-based Seapeak and Greece-linked Dynagas. They accounted for 72% of Yamal LNG exports.

According to analytics firm Kpler, from 1 January to 5 September European ports received 88,9% of the total volume of LNG exported from Yamal. In 2025 that figure was 78,2%.

Kpler energy analyst Charles Kosterus explained that European buyers are likely trying to ramp up imports ahead of the ban on Russian LNG taking effect in January 2027. At the same time, most deliveries are being made under existing long-term contracts, since the EU banned imports under short-term contracts in April 2026.

Analysts also link the record spending to rising gas prices in Europe and increased delivery volumes. The energy market was affected, in particular, by disruptions to a key trade route through the Strait of Hormuz amid the war in the Middle East.

At the same time, the EU has already adopted a decision to gradually phase out imports of Russian gas. The ban on imports of Russian LNG is to take full effect from the start of 2027, and the ban on pipeline gas — in the autumn of the same year.

Slovakia and Hungary did not vote for that decision, and Bulgaria abstained. A qualified majority of member states was sufficient for its adoption.

At the same time, the EU is moving toward a gradual abandonment of Russian oil.