Russia covered the drop in production

Russia Compensated for the Decline in Production

Since the beginning of 2026, Gazprom has increased its total natural gas supplies to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan by nearly 70%. This was announced by Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Management Committee of the Russian company, during an online meeting dedicated to the Day of Oil and Gas Industry Workers.

Export growth: the head of Gazprom highlighted the strong performance in Central Asia, though he did not specify the exact absolute volumes of supplies for each of the three countries in his report.

Uzbekistan: supplies are carried out in reverse mode via the Central Asia–Center pipeline. Against the backdrop of declining domestic production, the republic is actively increasing imports; over the past year of 2025, Gazprom supplied about 6.48 billion cubic meters of gas to Uzbekistan. From January to July 2026, Uzbekistan imported Russian gas worth $1 billion, which is 8.2% more than a year earlier. Thus, the growth in purchases from Gazprom only partially helps Uzbekistan cover its domestic fuel deficit.

Kazakhstan: Russian fuel provides gas to the West Kazakhstan, Kostanay, and Aktobe regions. In addition, major gasification projects for the northern and northeastern regions of the country are being developed.

Kyrgyzstan: the republic consumes about 500 million cubic meters annually. To supply the future CHPP-2 and "Bishkekselmash" CHPP, the country has concluded long-term contracts with Gazprom until 2040.

The redirection of export flows to Central Asia and China, where supplies via the Power of Siberia also regularly set new records, is taking place against the backdrop of a sharp contraction of the European market.