The sanctioned, mid-ice class LNG carrier Buran — part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” delivering gas from Arctic LNG 2 — repeatedly tried between December 2–7, 2025, to sail into Ob Bay to reach the Arctic LNG 2 terminal.
Despite escort by heavy Russian nuclear icebreakers (50 Let Pobedy and Arktika) and other Arc-class LNG tankers engaged in a convoy, Buran failed to break through — sea ice had already thickened to ≈50 cm in Ob Bay, and temperatures dropped below –20 °C.
Arctic LNG 2 — operated by Novatek — relies on ice-capable LNG carriers to export gas via the Northern Sea Route. Buran’s failure underscores that with insufficient or inadequately ice-rated ships, winter exports may be severely curtailed if not impossible.
The “dark fleet” carriers (reflagged / renamed vessels under sanction constraints) often lack full Arctic-class credentials — using them in deep Arctic in winter is risky. Buran’s retreat illustrates how relying on under-equipped tankers can backfire operationally.