UK hits Russia's shadow fleet with largest sanctions since invasion of Ukraine
Photo: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer (Getty Images)
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the largest sanctions package to date, targeting Russia’s shadow fleet. The measures have immobilized 200 vessels, nearly half of Russia’s fleet, according to the UK government press release and Politico.
The government website says the UK has been "clear that the security of the UK, which underpins this government’s Plan for Change, starts in Ukraine."
“Securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and combating Russia’s malign influence around the world mean a safer Britain at home. We are boosting our defence spending, with an increase of £13.4 billion year on year, to respond to these challenges,” the statement reads.
“We stand against Putin, against his stalling and backtracking on peace, and against his dodgy shadow fleet of oil tankers. We are determined to sink his failing ambition to fund his illegal war through them – that is why we have today unleashed the largest package of sanctions against them, with 110 targets,” said Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
The UK government stated that, since the beginning of 2024, tankers have transported Russian oil worth over £18 billion in defiance of restrictions imposed on Moscow following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
As Politico emphasizes, Russia has attempted to circumvent these restrictions by making a shadow fleet of tankers — often older vessels with unknown owners and unclear insurance status.
The new package targets ships and vessels accused of damaging critical underwater infrastructure. Sanctioned tankers will be barred from entering UK ports and risk being detained in British waters. Similar measures were introduced against the Kremlin during the most recent JEF meeting in December 2024.
UK sanctions against Russia
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was expected to announce a major sanctions package against Russia’s shadow fleet as part of London’s intensified pressure on Moscow over its aggression against Ukraine.
On April 24, the UK imposed a separate sanctions package against Russia, which included a ban on the import of video game controllers used to operate drones.
