INTERNATIONAL: The Russian energy giant Gazprom significantly cut natural gas supplies through Nord Stream 1 pipeline to just 20 per cent of its capacity on Wednesday.

Previously Gazprom announced it would reduce the daily throughput of the main gas pipeline supplying Europe to 33 million cubic meters from 4:00 GMT, July 27.

The Russian company explained the move with the necessity of maintenance for another Siemens turbine engine at a compression station in Portovaya Bay following the order from Rostekhnadzor, the country's federal technical watchdog agency.

Last week Nord Stream 1 restarted deliveries after 10 days of scheduled maintenance works but only at 40% of capacity. The new cut raised concerns in Europe over Russia's using oil and gas supplies halts as 'energy blackmail'.