Russia was probably short the world markets so they could drop the oil/gas bomb on top of a collapsing market and driving it down further. They will cover the bets and then raise the oil/gas prices back up, they need the money as bad or worse than anyone. Besides, the shale companies have been retracting for over 5 years, horizontal drilling rigs are at all time lows and production is thru the roof. Haliburton, enervest and others will be just fine.