The UK government announced on May 9 the introduction of sanctions against approximately 100 Russian tankers belonging to the shadow fleet that are involved in illegal oil transportation to circumvent international restrictions. They actively contribute to the export activities of the Russian oil industry, which has a significant impact on the global economy and security.
This is reported by Київ24
New Sanctions Package and Its Objectives
The sanctions list includes five Azerbaijani citizens — Tahir Garayev, Ahmed Kerimov, Anar Madatli, Talat Safarov, and Etibar Eyubov, who manage the oil company Coral Energy Group. Additionally, the Russian insurance company “Zlagoda,” Hong Kong companies BX Energy and Nord Axis Ltd, as well as the Norwegian company Romarine AS, have been added. All these entities are reportedly linked to the activities of the Russian “shadow fleet.”
“Every step we take to increase pressure on Russia and achieve a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine is another step towards security and prosperity in the UK. The threat from Russia to our national security cannot be underestimated, so we will do everything in our power to dismantle the shadow fleet, cut its military machine off from oil revenues, and protect the underwater infrastructure we rely on in our daily lives,” said the country’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announcing the new sanctions.
Consequences of the Shadow Fleet’s Activities
The government press release emphasizes that the sanctions are aimed at the so-called “old and dangerous” Russian fleet, which, according to officials, is organized by structures close to Putin and finances the illegal war in Ukraine. The vessels in this fleet are in decline but continue to harm critical national infrastructure, particularly through reckless navigation in European waters.
According to data, since the beginning of 2024, these tankers have transported oil worth over $24 billion. They are known to damage underwater cables in Europe, which could lead to serious consequences for the region’s communication and energy infrastructure.
Previously, the UK had already imposed sanctions on several dozen tankers, and now the new package will allow for the cessation of an even larger portion of this activity. Experts estimate that the UK government’s sanctions in 2025 led to the blocking of nearly half of the Russian fleet transporting oil — about 200 vessels.
These measures reaffirm London’s commitment to increasing pressure on Russia and reducing its ability to finance the war in Ukraine through illegal maritime oil transportation. The country’s authorities emphasize that such actions are necessary to protect national security and stability in the region.