The UK government has expanded the list of Russian shadow fleet vessels that will be subject to sanctions for illegal attempts to circumvent Western restrictions on the transportation and sale of Russian oil.
Points of attention
- Britain has expanded sanctions against 20 vessels of the Russian shadow fleet that attempted to circumvent restrictions on the sale of Russian oil.
- The sanctions aim to reduce Putin's oil sales revenues, which support his illegal war against Ukraine.
- The use of Russian shadow fleet vessels poses environmental and maritime security risks, impacting international maritime shipping.
- Western countries are imposing sanctions on vessels involved in circumventing restrictions on Russian oil exports, signaling a united front against Russia's aggressive policies.
- Recent accidents, like the sinking of Russian tankers in the Kerch Strait, highlight the dangers associated with the activities of the Russian shadow fleet.
What is known about Britain's expansion of sanctions against the Russian shadow fleet?
It is noted that sanctions were imposed against 20 vessels that tried to circumvent restrictions on the sale of Russian oil.
As Putin's oil revenues continue to fuel the fires of his illegal war, Ukrainian families are enduring cold, dark nights, often without heating, light, or electricity, while facing constant missile attacks from Russia, said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
He noted that the imposition of these sanctions would increase pressure on the already undermined military economy of Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin.
The vessels targeted include the Ocean Faye, Andaman Skies, and Mianzimu, each of which transported more than 4 million barrels of Russian oil this year.
The sanctions restrict or prohibit their movement and access to some British ports.
The UK has imposed sanctions on more than 100 vessels carrying Russian energy, including 93 oil tankers, more than any other country.
Western countries have imposed sanctions on a wide range of vessels used by Moscow to circumvent restrictions on the export of Russian oil and other goods. The vessels in the shadow fleet are not regulated or insured by traditional Western suppliers.
What danger do the ships of the Russian shadow fleet pose?
Following the JEF leaders' summit held in Tallinn, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom agreed to oppose Russia's use of a shadow fleet to transport its own oil to circumvent sanctions.
It is noted that Russia's use of a shadow fleet to sell its own oil in circumvention of Western sanctions poses risks to the environment, maritime security, international maritime trade, and international maritime shipping.
In particular, two Russian tankers, Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, sank in the Kerch Strait. During a severe storm, waves breached the hulls of the vessels.
As reported by Russian media, one of the tankers was so seriously damaged that it was practically cut in half.
