Fact check: Https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/12/12/putin-abandons-arctic-gas-production-as-sanctions-bite/

1. Summary of the results

1. Summary of the results:

The evidence shows that Russia's Arctic gas production has been severely disrupted, but not entirely abandoned. Production at Arctic LNG 2 has dropped dramatically - from 215 million cubic meters in April to 55 million cubic meters in May 2024. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Geoffrey Pyatt has confirmed that Putin's plans to increase output in Q1 2024 have failed, and no LNG deliveries have been made since Train 1 began production in December 2023.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints:

• The disruption is not voluntary but forced by Western sanctions targeting specific components:

Ice-capable LNG carriers without which transport is impossible

The project's assembly yard

• Key technology providers
• The situation represents a temporary production constraint rather than permanent abandonment
• Chinese supplier Wison New Energies' withdrawal has significantly impacted the project
• Gazprom posted its first quarterly loss in 25 years in May 2024, indicating broader issues in Russia's energy sector

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement:

The headline suggesting Putin "abandons" Arctic gas production implies a voluntary decision, when in reality:

• This is a forced reduction due to Western sanctions
• Russia would likely resume production if sanctions were lifted
• The word "abandons" overstates the situation - production has been severely reduced and suspended, not permanently abandoned
• The narrative benefits Western nations and media outlets seeking to demonstrate the effectiveness of their sanctions regime against Russia, while potentially understating Russia's continued attempts to maintain some level of production capacity