Russian firms are sending employees to fight in Ukraine

 

Energy and military analysts are reporting that Russian state energy utility Gazprom has set up its own private army and sent recruits to the frontline in Ukraine. Oil and gas companies have long employed people with military backgrounds to protect their assets around the world. However, it now appears those personnel are being used to help the Kremlin with its invasion of Ukraine. And it’s not the only company sending their workers to fight on the front line.

Russia's Gazprom announces indefinite shutdown of Nord Stream 1 pipeline

Gazprom halted gas flows through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany Friday, citing a gas leak and providing no time frame for when supplies could be restarted.

Russia sanctions 31 western companies | DW News

Moscow has announced sanctions on 31 European companies, including Gazprom Germania. That's the former subsidiary of Russian gas giant Gazprom which is now controlled by German regulators-- as well as Germany's biggest gas storage facility and gas trader Wingas.

Why this Russian gas company sponsors soccer teams

Russia has the world’s largest reserves of natural gas, and most of it is controlled by the state-owned company Gazprom. But Gazprom has also built a global profile as a soccer sponsor. Good publicity for Gazprom means good publicity for Russia; since Gazprom is owned by the Russian state, domestic approval for the foreign energy provider can help build a reputation for Russia in places that might otherwise be wary of their creeping influence. And as Vladimir Putin pursues that influence abroad, building relationships with foreign business leaders using the sport of soccer has proven extremely useful.