Russia's Gazprom slashes Nord Stream 1 gas flow to Europe

What they're saying: Gazprom said it was required to shut down the turbine engine at a compression station in the Portovaya Bay because of an order from Rostekhnadzor, Russia's federal agency that in part oversees hydraulic structures at energy sites.

• The engine was produced by Germany's industrial manufacturing conglomerate Siemens.

Thought bubble, via Axios' Ben Geman: The further cut in supplies will add urgency to Europe's scramble for alternative supplies and efforts to cut demand, even as member states don't yet agree on conservation policy.

• Russia is Europe's largest gas supplier, so the invasion of Ukraine and reduced supply have created fresh market risks. Already-high European natural gas prices jumped again on the news.

The big picture: Europe, especially Germany, remain dependent on Russia for fossil fuels despite recent efforts to diversify.

• European officials have accused Russia of withholding fuel in retaliation over Western sanctions on Moscow over its unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine.
• Russia has claimed that the shut downs are necessary because of maintenance issues exacerbated by sanctions.

Go deeper:

• Charting Europe's economic vulnerability to a Russian gas shutoff
• Europe's surging electricity prices are shattering records