A Russian state-owned energy corporation has released a video illustrating how Europe could freeze this winter without gas imported from Vladimir Putin's dictatorship.
Energy giant Gazprom, which traditionally has had a large market across Europe, released the film on Monday three days after it announced the indefinite shutdown of pipeline Nord Stream 1.
The Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany was initially shut for three days for “maintenance work” and had been due to resume delivery to Germany on Saturday.
Gazprom claimed it had a leak – rather than the closure being a revenge strategy - and suggested it could be closed indefinitely.
It comes as energy prices have soared since Russia invaded Ukraine in February and scarce supplies mean families in Europe may be priced out of heating this winter.
The EU has accused Russia of using its gas supplies as an economic weapon against Western nations backing Kyiv.
The Gazprom film featured dramatic music and a snow-covered Europe with a view of the Nord Stream pipeline and a telling shot of gas turning off.
The seeming hostility follows G7 countries agreeing to impose a price cap on Russian oil.
UK chancellor Nadhim Zahawi tweeted on Friday: “Today I met with @G7 Finance Ministers where we agreed to finalise & implement a price cap on Russian oil.
“This important measure will reduce Russian revenues & mitigate the impacts of Putin’s war on global energy prices to support the most vulnerable.”
The UK has subsequently become one of many countries looking for alternative sources of power to combat historic dependence on Kremlin-aligned companies, in order to show solidarity with Ukraine.
The UK is not reliant on Russia for gas.
However, the pipeline closure has hit UK customers by pushing up wholesale gas prices.
