Gazprom slumps to first annual loss in 22 years as trade with Europe hit

5.5bn loss in 2023 comes after gas sales more than halved following Russia's invasion of Ukraine

The Kremlin-owned gas company Gazprom has plunged to its first annual loss in more than 20 years, after gas sales more than halved following Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

The company made a net loss of 629bn roubles (5.5bn) in 2023 amid dwindling gas trade with Europe, once Gazprom's main sales market, as a result of sanctions and the throttling of pipelines to the continent.