UK announces largest-ever sanctions package on Russian shadow fleet tankers

The United Kingdom has unveiled a new sanctions package targeting nearly 100 oil tankers in Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, as part of a renewed effort to “ramp up pressure on Putin”, Downing Street announced on Friday.

According to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office, the sanctions will be the UK’s largest ever against the shadow feet, which is responsible for carrying over £18 billion (€21 billion) worth of cargo since the start of 2024.

“The threat from Russia to our national security cannot be underestimated, that is why we will do everything in our power to destroy his shadow fleet operation, starve his war machine of oil revenues and protect the subsea infrastructure that we rely on for our everyday lives,” Starmer said.

The UK’s announcement comes as Starmer travels to Oslo for a meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a security alliance comprising 10 northern European states, including Norway, Sweden, Denmark and the Baltic states. According to Downing Street, JEF leaders are also expected to announce an “enhanced partnership” with Ukraine on Friday following their meeting.

The Kremlin’s use of a “shadow” or “dark” fleet dates back to December 2022, when Western countries unveiled a price cap initiative to limit the Russian government’s ability to profit from oil exports. By using vessels of unclear ownership operating without standard insurance policies, Russia has continued trading with outside partners. In 2024, the fleet traded some 70% of Russia’s seaborne crude oil and refined products, according to the Kyiv School of Economics.

Russia’s shadow fleet has been repeatedly criticized for engaging in maritime behaviour contrary to international rules and norms of the sea. Shadow tankers frequently manipulate locational data to avoid detection, heightening the chances of maritime accidents. Additionally, the Kremlin has been accused of using the shadow fleet to engage in hybrid warfare, allegedly severing undersea power and data cables to sabotage NATO countries.