[Angelino97]

Also because many nations that refuse to buy gas from Russia, are buying Russian gas through third parties (e.g., India, China), at a markup.

Russia: I offer Russian gas for $10 a barrel.

Britain: No!

India: I offer Russian gas for $12 a barrel.

Britain: It's a deal!

[Freest Republican]

This is true but the initial buyers are getting big discounts.

The first 4 months of the invasion, the ruble rallied indicating that he seemed to be defeating the sanctions.

all of sudden it got crushed despite higher fuel prices which should mean higher demand for rubles.

IMO as the bills came due-he got squeezed by his evading sanctions partners.