Ukraine's President sanctions Russia’s shadow fleet

Sanctions and arrests of Russian ships will strengthen Ukraine's security and limit the Kremlin's ability to support military operations through enrichment from shadow shipments.

How law works

According to the text of the law, sanctions can be imposed on ships of the shadow fleet, as well as on ships and aircraft that transport weapons and military personnel of Russia. This will be recorded by the Security Service of Ukraine. This data will then be entered into the State Register of Sanctions.

Previously, Ukrainian legislation allowed sanctions to be imposed on legal entities and individuals, but did not allow for the sanctioning of ships and aircraft.

The basis for the application of sanctions is also the establishment of the fact that ships are being used in activities that pose real or potential threats to the national interests, national security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet

Russia's shadow fleet consists of hundreds of underground oil tankers sailing the world's seas under convenient flags and with opaque owners to transport oil in circumvention of international sanctions against Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

According to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, the Russian shadow fleet consisted of up to 1,000 mainly obsolete vessels exporting oil and petroleum products.

In May, the European Union adopted the 17th package of sanctions against Russia, which targets nearly 200 ships of the so-called shadow fleet.

In June, the British government introduced a new package of sanctions against Russia. According to official information, the restrictions are aimed at the “shadow” fleet and companies that contribute to Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.