Topics: Russia, Ukraine, Climate Change, World News, News, Vladimir Putin
Russia is burning $10 million worth of natural gas that would have otherwise been sold off to Germany.
Sadly for countries that don't like doing business with Russia anymore, the country has vast amounts of natural resources including a major supply of natural gas.
Before Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine six months ago much of Europe bought swathes of natural gas from Russia to use as fuel.
However, since Putin's regime was hit with punishing sanctions by many countries around the world, Russia has found it much harder to find a buyer for their gas.
Advert
While the consequence for much of Europe has been significantly higher energy costs which have helped drive up inflation, it is also having a negative impact on the Russians as well, as much of the world seeks to end the habit of buying Russian fuel.
According to the BBC, Russia is burning $10 million worth of natural gas a day at their Portovaya liquified natural gas plant, without the invasion of Ukraine it would have been sold to Germany.
The German ambassador to the UK claims the gas is being burned away because Russia cannot find anyone else to buy it.
Analysis from Rystad Energy estimates that about 4.34 million cubic metres of gas are being burned every day, raising environmental concerns over so much waste.
Burning so much gas is releasing about 9,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere each day, while the black, sooty particles given off pose problems of their own.
When the soot is blown across snow and ice it lands on them and speeds up the melting process, further disrupting the environment.
The first signs that something was happening came from just across the border from the Portovaya plant in Finland, where people spotted a large flame in the distance earlier in the summer.
Since June researchers have noticed a major increase in heat coming from the plant and it hasn't gone away, leading experts to conclude that the Russians are burning vast and valuable amounts of fuel they can no longer sell due to the war Putin started.
More than six months in, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has made marginal gains but ultimately appeared to stall without achieving its main objectives.
Putin's forces have managed to take some chunks of Ukrainian territory, but early attempts to take Kyiv and secure a swift victory have fallen utterly flat.
Supported by supplies from many nations, Ukraine has successfully kept the Russian troops from sweeping across their country and their continued stalwart defence is a humiliation for Putin's ambitions.
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information
