Russian gas exports to countries outside a group of former Soviet republics plunged by 45.5% in 2022, figures from gas giant Gazprom showed Monday.Europe was previously Gazprom's main export market but supplies have been drastically reduced because of sanctions following Russia's offensive in Ukraine in 2022.President Vladimir Putin last month inaugurated the Kovykta natural gas field in eastern Siberia that will allow Russia to increase its exports to China.But Russia began efforts around a decade ago to develop new fields and build the Power of Siberia pipeline to deliver to the rapidly expanding Chinese market.Gazprom accounts for 11% of the global natural gas production and has the largest gas reserves in the world."