The file photo shows a branch of Gazprom, Russia's state-run energy company. [Photo: smga.org.cn]

Bank of China has reportedly entered into a 5-year loan with Russian state-run energy company Gazprom.

The loan is worth nearly 22-billion US dollars.

Gazprom has confirmed the deal, which is its largest loan agreement from a single credit institution.

While this is Gazprom's first deal with a Chinese bank, it's not the first time the Russian energy giant has looked to China for financial help.

In May of 2014, China National Petroleum Corporation signed a 400 billion-US-dollars contract with Gazprom in exchange for natural gas supplies over a 30 year period.

Gazprom's loan from the Bank of China comes as the Russian energy giant faces capital restrictions amid the sanctions currently imposed on Russia over its alleged involvement in the fighting in Ukraine.