Import dependence in Russia’s fuel and energy sector has declined by more than 20% since sanctions were first imposed in 2014, Director for Key Partner Relations at the Oil and Gas Technology Initiatives Institute and Doctor of Economics Alexey Fadeyev said. "If we look at the period since 2014, import dependence in the fuel and energy sector has fallen by more than 20%. Following their departure, high-tech market niches have opened up for Russian companies," the economist said. According to the expert, Russian oil and gas companies are developing their own technologies, while government support also plays an important role. Today, more than 31,000 sanctions have been imposed on Russia.