UK expands sanctions list to include more “shadow fleet” tankers and company linked to Russian drones exposed by The Insider

The UK government expanded its sanctions list against Kremlin interests earlier today, imposing restrictions on vessels involved in transporting Russian oil, as well as on financial institutions and pro-Russian bloggers.

According to an official press release put out by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the new sanctions target individuals and entities operating in Russia’s military, energy, and financial sectors, along with those spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda. The update includes 82 new entries.

Among them are 18 tankers tied to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” — a collection of poorly maintained and underinsured aging vessels that Moscow uses to bypass the $60-per-barrel oil price cap set in December 2022 by the G7 countries, the EU, and Australia.

Other entities now under UK sanctions include two subsidiaries of VTB Bank, the St. Petersburg Currency Exchange, Surgutinvestneft, and Russia’s Deposit Insurance Agency. Also named is MT-Systems, a distributor of electronic components. As previously reported by The Insider, the company imported Simcom SIM800C modules into Russia — components later found in Russian Orlan drones.

On the same day, the European Union approved its 17th package of sanctions targeting Russia. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas noted that the package targets nearly 200 vessels linked to the “shadow fleet,” with more sanctions on Russia reportedly “in the works.”