U.K. Tightens Grip on Russia’s Shadow Fleet with New SanctionsThe U.K. has escalated its
Sanctions against Russia’s so-called "shadow fleet," adding two Russian companies and 20 ships to its blacklist, according to a report from
The Moscow Times. This fleet of oil tankers, often operating with unclear ownership and insufficient insurance, enables
Russia to bypass international sanctions and continue selling oil despite export restrictions and price caps.The newly sanctioned entities, 2Rivers DMCC and 2Rivers PTE LTD, and 20 vessels have been identified as key players in carrying illicit Russian oil. Among the targeted ships are three vessels that transported over four million barrels of Russian oil in 2024 alone.
A United Front Against the Shadow Fleet
In addition to the U.K.’s actions, the Nordic-Baltic 8++ countries—including Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the U.K.—have launched a partnership to combat Russia’s shadow fleet. The coalition, in a joint statement, outlined plans for maritime authorities to request proof of insurance from suspect vessels as part of broader efforts to disrupt operations.
Hitting Russia Where It Hurts
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the necessity of these sanctions. “As Putin’s oil revenues continue to fuel his illegal war, Ukrainian families face cold, dark nights without heating or electricity due to relentless Russian missile attacks,” he said. Starmer highlighted the sanctions’ dual purpose: to weaken Russia’s economy while bolstering Ukraine’s resilience with emergency aid and energy system repairs during its third winter under invasion.
Expanding the Sanctioned Fleet
These new measures follow the U.K.’s November 25 sanctioning of 30 ships, bringing the total to over 100 sanctioned vessels, including 93 oil tankers. This number represents the largest sanctions action against Russian energy exports globally. The U.K.’s strategy aims to render these vessels idle, preventing their access to ports and draining resources from Russia’s war economy.“These sanctions will further weaken Putin’s war chest by targeting the oil revenues he relies on and putting those who enable Russia’s oil exports on notice,” the U.K. government stated.
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