The U.K. on Tuesday (June 17, 2025) tightened its sanctions on Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, imposing bans on 20 more ships and blacklisting 10 other people or bodies involved in energy and shipping.
Security analysts say the fleet of ageing vessels is used by Russia to circumvent international sanctions that ban it from selling oil.
Hundreds of vessels have now been sanctioned by the European Union and the U.K. since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The U.K.’s new additions to its assets freeze list include the Orion Star group and Rosneft Marine (U.K.), both said to be significant to Russia’s energy sector, as well as the deep-sea research unit at the Russian defence ministry.
Two U.K. residents, Vladimir Pristoupa and Olech Tkacz, were also sanctioned, accused of operating a shadowy network of shell companies that London said has funnelled more than $120 million of high-tech electronics to Russia.
