Image for representation purposes only The European Union imported record volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia’s Yamal LNG project in the first six months of 2026, accounting for more than 97% of the project’s global exports and paying an estimated €5.96 billion ($6.82 billion), according to an analysis of Kpler shipping data by campaign group Urgewald. The EU continues its phased ban on Russian gas imports following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While imports of Russian LNG under short-term contracts were banned from April 2026, deliveries under long-term contracts can continue until January 1, 2027. According to Urgewald’s analysis, 140 cargoes carrying 10.25 million tonnes of LNG left the Yamal project in Russia’s western Arctic between January and June. Of these, 136 cargoes carrying 9.97 million tonnes were delivered to EU ports. China received only four cargoes, totaling 282,248 tonnes. Compared with the first half of 2025, EU imports from Yamal increased from 117 cargoes and 8.57 million tonnes to 136 cargoes and 9.97 million tonnes, a 16% increase in volume. Over the same period, shipments to Asia dropped from 25 cargoes carrying 1.80 million tonnes to four cargoes with 282,248 tonnes, an 84% decline. Urgewald estimated that the EU paid €2.88 billion for Yamal LNG between January and March and another €3.08 billion ($3.52 billion) between April and June. On average, the EU received one Yamal LNG cargo every 1.3 days, or about 55,089 tonnes of LNG per day, the analysis showed. France was the largest importer, receiving 51 cargoes carrying 3.74 million tonnes. Belgium imported 37 cargoes totaling 2.70 million tonnes, while Spain received 34 cargoes carrying 2.50 million tonnes. The Netherlands imported 12 cargoes totaling 881,970 tonnes, and Portugal received two cargoes carrying 147,170 tonnes. Among European terminals, Zeebrugge handled the most Yamal cargoes with 37, followed by Dunkerque (26), Montoir (25), Bilba