Urgewald used data from analysis firm Kpler to show that all but 3pc of Yamal’s output in the past half-year went to Europe. Many cargoes were diverted from their usual destinations in Asia.
The EU’s ban on new short-term gas contracts with Russia took effect in April. A full ban, including existing long-term contracts, starts in January next year.
But Europe’s attempt to wean itself off Russian gas has been thrown into disarray by Donald Trump’s war with Iran. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has shut off supplies from Qatar, which last year supplied about 7pc of the continent’s gas demand.
The Europeans are turning to countries such as Algeria and Nigeria for extra supply, but predominantly to the US.
EU imports of American LNG jumped 60pc last year and 27pc in the first quarter of 2026, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.
The US now accounts for almost two-thirds of the EU’s LNG imports, while Russia still accounts for 13pc. Spain sources about one-quarter of its gas from Russia and Belgium receives more than half.
Europe faces a scramble to fill its gas reservoirs before the winter. The EU’s tanks are collectively about half full, whereas they are normally two-thirds full by this time of year.
Yamal, which sits on Russia’s Arctic north coast, supplies the LNG on a fleet of specialist ice-breaking tankers. These are still serviced by Denmark’s Fayard shipyard, which last received a vessel for servicing on June 30.
“Yamal LNG depends on a small, specialised fleet, European ports and European services to keep exports flowing. Europe continues to provide all three,” Mr Rötters said.
About 38pc of the LNG went to France, 27pc to Belgium and 25pc to Spain, according to Urgewald. The Netherlands and Portugal were also among the buyers. Hungary and Slovakia are also still major buyers of Russian pipeline gas.
