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The United Kingdom has announced a sweeping new package of sanctions against Russia, targeting its shadow fleet, military procurement networks, and financial channels used to circumvent Western restrictions and sustain the Kremlin’s war effort in Ukraine, UATV English reports.
The measures, unveiled during the G7 Summit, include sanctions on 70 individuals, entities, and vessels involved in supporting Russia’s economy and military operations.
According to the UK government, more than 20 oil tankers linked to Russia’s shadow fleet have been designated under new powers introduced last month. London also imposed restrictions on ship insurers and maritime service providers suspected of facilitating Russia’s illicit oil trade.
The UK became the first G7 country to sanction several liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels recently acquired by Russia to support the Arctic LNG 2 project, which has been subject to international sanctions. British officials said the project is intended to generate revenue for the Kremlin despite Western restrictions.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the new measures target “the vessels, the money and the actors propping up Russia’s war economy.”
“Working with our G7 allies, we will continue to increase the pressure on Putin and his circle of collaborators until Russia’s war machine is brought to a halt and peace returns to our continent,” Starmer said.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described the sanctions as a response to Russia’s increasingly covert efforts to evade restrictions.
“As the Kremlin resorts to ever more shady tactics to sustain its war, from its ageing shadow fleet to covert finance networks, the UK remains one step ahead in shutting them down,” Cooper said.
The package also targets a network linked to Russia’s military intelligence agency (GRU), including the front company LLC Neptune Co Ltd, which British authorities say has been involved in secretly procuring Western technology for Russia’s military. Three companies and ten GRU officers were sanctioned for their alleged role in acquiring critical military technologies.
In addition, the UK imposed sanctions on companies in China, Thailand, and Türkiye accused of supplying military-related equipment to Russia. A Nigerian-based entity linked to an illicit financial network used to evade sanctions was also designated.
The British government said it has now sanctioned nearly 500 individuals, entities, and vessels under its Russia sanctions regime in 2026 alone, bringing the total number of sanctioned shadow fleet and Russian LNG vessels to more than 600.
The announcement comes as G7 leaders meet to coordinate support for Ukraine and discuss further measures to increase pressure on Moscow following continued Russian attacks against Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure.
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