Camilla Jessen
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces sweeping measures targeting 100 tankers in Russia’s covert oil fleet.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday unveiled the largest sanctions package yet against Russia, targeting up to 100 oil tankers linked to what is known as the country’s “shadow fleet.”
The announcement, made via the social media platform X on May 9, aims to cut off key revenue streams fueling Russia’s war in Ukraine and to protect UK and European infrastructure.
“To ramp up the pressure on Putin, I’m announcing the largest package of sanctions yet,” Starmer said, adding that Russia’s threat to UK national security must not be underestimated.
Targeting Russia’s Oil Revenues
According to a government press release, the sanctioned vessels are part of a covert network used by Russia to bypass Western restrictions on oil exports.
The tankers have carried more than $24 billion worth of cargo since the start of 2024, despite global efforts to limit Moscow’s energy income.
“We will do everything in our power to destroy the shadow fleet operation, starve his war machine of oil revenues, and protect the subsea infrastructure that we rely on for our everyday lives.
The UK government emphasized that Russian President Vladimir Putin depends on this fleet to keep oil money flowing despite international sanctions.
The move comes as part of a wider strategy to isolate Russia economically and push for a lasting peace in Ukraine.
Starmer stated that each new measure “is another step towards security and prosperity in the UK.”
The British government said the sanctions are designed not only to hit Russia’s revenue but also to safeguard vital undersea cables and pipelines, which have become increasingly vulnerable in the context of heightened global tensions.
Western sanctions have already reduced Russia’s oil and gas revenues by over a third since 2022, according to UK officials.
Ukraine’s View: Sanctions Must Go Further
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly highlighted the scale of profits Russia continues to make from shadow oil operations.
In November, Zelenskyy noted that the revenue Russia earns from the shadow fleet far exceeds the aid Ukraine receives from all its allies combined.
The “shadow fleet” refers to a network of aging, often uninsured tankers, operated by shell companies, which move Russian oil outside the purview of sanctions enforcement and without transparency. These vessels often operate with disabled transponders, falsified documents, and flag-hopping registrations, making them difficult to track or regulate.