Britain imposes the largest sanctions against Russia’s “shadow fleet” – Starmer
9 May 2025 19:23
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the introduction of a new, most ambitious package of sanctions against Russia to date. He announced this on the social network X, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
“The threat that Russia poses to our national security should not be underestimated. To increase pressure on Putin, I am announcing the largest package of sanctions to date. I will always act in the interest of protecting our country. Security is at home, strength is abroad,” the prime minister said.
According to the British government, the sanctions are aimed mainly at the so-called “shadow fleet,” a network of tankers that transport Russian oil in violation of international restrictions. At least 100 vessels that have transported oil worth more than $24 billion since the beginning of 2024 will be subject to sanctions.
In addition, as part of its new defense strategy, the UK’s Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) plans to expand its military partnership with Ukraine. It is expected to strengthen support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces through intensive training, increased interaction between military systems, and the exchange of experience in light of the fighting in Ukraine. Measures to counter disinformation are also envisaged.
What is Russia’s “shadow fleet”?
After the EU imposed an embargo on Russian oil in December 2022, Russia began using a fleet of tankers with non-transparent ownership. These vessels were often purchased through companies from Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Cyprus.
It is this “shadow fleet” that helps Moscow avoid sanctions and continue exporting oil, and later liquefied natural gas.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia has already used 238 vessels to circumvent sanctions restrictions.
russia’s “shadow fleet” is an unofficial network of tankers used to transport oil and oil products in violation of international sanctions. This fleet has become a key tool of the Kremlin after the European Union and the G7 countries imposed an embargo on Russian oil and set a price ceiling.
Basic facts about the shadow fleet of the Russian Federation:
- Appeared after the introduction of oil sanctions in 2022.
- It consists mainly of tankers purchased on the secondary market of old ships.
- The owners of such vessels are often companies with offshore addresses, in particular in Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Cyprus.
Purpose
- To transport oil to countries that do not comply with Western sanctions (in particular, China, India, Turkey).
- To use methods that complicate control: changing flags, disabling the GPS (AIS) system, and transshipment of oil in international waters.
Scale
- According to Ukrainian intelligence, 238 vessels have been identified that Russia uses to circumvent sanctions.
- It is estimated that the shadow fleet transported more than $24 billion worth of oil in 2024 alone.
Risks
- Violation of safety rules and environmental threats (old ships, often in poor technical condition).
- Difficulty in controlling exports, which reduces the effectiveness of sanctions pressure.
Western response
- The US, UK, and EU are gradually expanding sanctions on individual vessels.
- In July 2024, the UK announced the largest sanctions package covering more than 100 tankers linked to the shadow scheme.
