The UK has imposed sanctions on 70 tankers linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, stepping up efforts to disrupt Moscow’s ability to export oil and fund its war against Ukraine.
The move, announced as Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper visited Kyiv, brings the total number of vessels targeted by the UK to the highest of any country.
The sanctions are part of a package of 100 new measures aimed at cutting off Russia’s revenue streams and military supply lines.
The shadow fleet, a network of ageing and obscurely owned tankers, has been carrying Russian oil outside of G7 price cap restrictions, often operating with dark-fleet practices such as disabling AIS signals, ship-to-ship transfers and flag-hopping.
“International action to increase economic pressure on Russia and to cut off critical cash flows which he desperately needs to pay for this illegal war is vital,” Cooper said. “These sanctions form the next stage in the UK’s leading efforts to ramp up economic pressure.”
The UK has been at the forefront of targeting the shadow fleet, arguing that restricting Russia’s ability to use these tankers is key to limiting its oil export revenue – the main source of war financing.
