(Reuters) – Russia’s Gazprom expects a 4% drop in its gas production this year. This is another indication of Russia’s sanctions. Vitaly Markelov, Deputy Chief Executive of Gazprom, spoke to an inhouse magazine Thursday.

Markelov stated that the output of Gazprom will fall to 494.4 billion cubes (bcm), from 514.8 Bcm in 2017. He did not elaborate. Gazprom will see its lowest production in this year’s fiscal since 2017, which was 471 billion cubic metres.

Russia has been struggling to withstand Western sanctions that were imposed after the “special military operations” started in Ukraine.

Gazprom cut off gas supplies from Poland and Bulgaria to Wednesday, in a row with Europe. Europe is looking to get away from Russian energy.

Russia’s Economy Ministry believes that oil and natural gas production will drop this year. According to Reuters, the document shows that gas output could fall to 702.4-720.9 bcm (763.5 bcm) in 2021.