The United Kingdom has struck another heavy blow against Russia’s shadow fleet by sanctioning 70 additional vessels used to transport Russian oil exports.
The move forms part of a wider package of 100 new sanctions announced by the Foreign Secretary during a visit to Kyiv.
“The UK continues to lead the charge against the shadow fleet carrying Russian oil exports. Today, 70 more ships in the fleet have been sanctioned. The UK has now targeted more oil tankers than any other country,” the Foreign Secretary declared.
The sanctions aim to cut off President Putin’s access to revenue and military supplies as Russia intensifies its assault on Ukraine.
Recent weeks have brought a dramatic escalation in attacks, including the largest air raid of the war, with more than 800 missiles and drones launched at Ukraine in a single night.
Russian missile and drone strikes have surged tenfold compared with last year, with 6,500 recorded in July alone. Among the targets hit were the Cabinet of Ministers building in Kyiv, along with the British Council and EU delegation offices.
“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,” said Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. “These sanctions form the next stage in the UK’s leading efforts to ramp up economic pressure alongside our security support.”
The measures also target 30 entities and individuals supplying Russia’s military with crucial components, including electronics manufacturers from China and Turkey whose products are used in Iskander and Kh-101 missiles as well as Russian drones.
Among the sanctioned vessels are the Kirill Lavrov, the Mikhail Ulyanov and several ships bearing the prefix “Gazpromneft,” denoting links to Russia’s state-owned energy giant.
Maritime security experts have long stressed that the shadow fleet enables Moscow to bypass international sanctions and continue funding its war machine. The UK’s move marks the most comprehensive action yet taken by any nation against this network.
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