As of January 2026, gas deliveries from Russia to Europe via the TurkStream pipeline have shown a significant increase, underscoring Europe’s growing dependence on this southern corridor for Russian gas supplies. Reports indicate that average daily flows during this period were markedly higher compared to the same month last year, reflecting a strategic shift in European energy sourcing.
This uptick in deliveries comes on the heels of the termination of a long-standing transit agreement through Ukraine, which is set to remain inactive beyond January 2025. Consequently, Turkey has emerged as the sole transit country for Russian pipeline gas entering Europe, effectively consolidating the flow of Russian gas through this route.
In terms of volume, shipments through TurkStream reached approximately 1.73 billion cubic meters in January 2026, an increase from about 1.57 billion cubic meters in January 2025. Data from the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG) reveals that daily delivery averages stood at around 55.8 million cubic meters, up from 50.6 million cubic meters recorded last year. This figure remained relatively stable compared to December 2025, when daily volumes hovered around 56 million cubic meters.
<pDespite this rise in TurkStream flows, it is critical to note that overall Russian gas exports to Europe have seen a sharp decline. In 2025, exports plummeted by approximately 44%, totaling around 18 billion cubic meters—marking the lowest export levels since the mid-1970s. This stark reduction contrasts sharply with peak export years of 2018 and 2019 when annual pipeline deliveries exceeded 175–180 billion cubic meters.
<pThe increased volumes through TurkStream thus reflect more a change in routing rather than a genuine recovery in export levels, as Russian gas supplies to Europe are now heavily concentrated on this single corridor following the loss of alternative transit routes.
