UK imposes largest sanctions package on Russia's shadow fleet

Tankers will be banned from accessing British ports and using the country's key maritime services. This step aims to prevent the shadow fleet from circumventing sanctions and is a response to security threats and environmental risks associated with violations of ship operation standards.

These actions are part of a global initiative to combat the risks posed by the shadow fleet. The UK is working closely with the US, Canada, the EU, and 44 European countries in this area.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy noted that these sanctions deal a serious blow to Russia's financial revenues. Over the past year alone, sanctioned oil tankers have transported about $4.9 billion worth of oil, which has significantly fueled the Russian war machine.

Russia's largest shipping company, Sovcomflot, changed the names and cargoes of its vessels in an attempt to circumvent the sanctions.

The UK also imposed sanctions on four liquefied natural gas tankers and the Russian gas company JSC Rusgazdobycha. These measures are aimed at further weakening the Russian gas industry, which has already suffered serious losses in 2023.

It is expected that Gazprom will record a loss of $6.9 billion, the company's first negative financial result in more than 20 years.

Sanctions against Russia

The UK has imposed sanctions against the Russian Troops of Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defense, as well as their head, Igor Kirillov. These measures are related to accusations of using chemical weapons on the territory of Ukraine.

The sanctions also targeted vessels of the Russian shadow fleet, which, according to the British authorities, helped Moscow circumvent Western restrictions on oil exports. The list includes 11 vessels, including Zatoka Amurskaya and SCF Pechora, involved in the transportation of Russian oil to third countries.

The UK has created a new unit to monitor compliance with trade sanctions and strengthen oversight of service exports to Russia.