Russia has claimed that US sanctions against the Arctic LNG-2 project are undermining global energy security.

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman on Wednesday criticized Washington’s “unacceptable” move to crack down on the giant Arctic LNG 2. The sanctions are just the latest move the West has taken to limit Moscow’s financial ability to wage war in Ukraine.

The comments came after Washington announced sanctions last month against the new liquefied natural gas power plant being built on the Gydan Peninsula in the Arctic.

“We consider such measures unacceptable, especially in connection with such large international commercial projects such as Arctic LNG 2, which affect the energy balance of many states,” said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

“The situation surrounding Arctic LNG 2 once again confirms the destructive role of Washington in global economic security, which speaks of the need to maintain this security, but in reality, pursuing its own selfish interests, seeks to squeeze out competitors and undermine global energy security to destroy.” .”

Russia is the fourth largest producer of sea-borne LNG after the United States, Qatar and Australia.

The Arctic LNG 2 project is a key element in Russia’s efforts to increase its share of the global market to a fifth from the current 8 percent by 2030-2035.

However, the sanctions led partners from China, Japan and France, who together hold 40 percent of the project, to suspend their participation last week. Project developer Novatek was also forced to declare force majeure over LNG supplies from the project, which was scheduled to produce in early 2024.

In a bid to weaken Moscow’s military power, Western countries have imposed sweeping sanctions on Russian companies and individuals after the Kremlin decided to send tens of thousands of troops to Ukraine in February last year.

However, Russia insists that Europe has been hit harder by the sanctions due to increased energy prices, while it has been able to quickly develop new markets in Asia.

Almost all Russian oil exports this year were shipped to China and India, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Wednesday.

Wave of drones

Russia hopes revenue from Asian energy customers can continue to help fuel its invasion while keeping an eye on Ukraine Battle To gain access to funds and weapons from Western partners.

On Wednesday, Ukrainian authorities said two people were killed after Russian forces sent a wave of attack drones against the country in a nighttime attack.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, 32 of 46 Iranian-made drones used by Russia were shot down.

The air force said the military destroyed drones over parts of central, southern and western Ukraine. Most of those who broke through the defenses struck near the front line, mainly in the southern Kherson region.

Oleh Kiper, the governor of Ukraine’s Odessa region, said a 35-year-old man was killed in a residential area by debris from a downed drone. Another man died in hospital from his injuries.

According to Kiper, four other people were injured, including a 17-year-old boy.

According to the U.N. human rights office, more than 10,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since Russia’s all-out invasion, with about half of the recent deaths occurring far behind the front lines.