The UK unveils a comprehensive package of 100 new sanctions targeting Russia’s illicit oil shipments and military supply chains, responding to increasing Russian missile strikes and threats to NATO airspace.
The UK government has unveiled a sweeping package of 100 new sanctions aimed at crippling Russia’s revenues and military supply chains amid escalating aggression in Ukraine. The announcement, made by newly appointed Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper during her visit to Kyiv, targets Russia’s “shadow fleet”—a covert network of vessels transporting oil and other crucial supplies—as well as key companies and individuals supplying sophisticated electronics, chemicals, and explosives used in Russian weaponry.
This comprehensive sanctions action comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin intensifies his campaign against Ukraine, orchestrating the largest air assault of the conflict so far. Over 800 missiles and drones were launched in a single night, marking a staggering increase, with July alone seeing 6,500 such strikes—ten times the figure recorded a year prior. These attacks have caused direct damage to Ukrainian government infrastructure, including the cabinet of ministers, as well as to international institutions like the British Council and the EU delegation buildings in Kyiv. Notably, Russia’s missile and drone incursions violated NATO airspace over Poland, further heightening regional tensions.
The latest round of sanctions expands a series of measures that began last autumn targeting Russia’s shadow fleet. In October 2024, the UK imposed sanctions on 18 Russian oil tankers and four liquefied natural gas vessels, marking the largest sanctions action against this clandestine fleet at the time. This initial effort sought to disrupt the oil trade that is central to funding Putin’s war effort. Subsequent actions followed, including a significant wave in November 2024 that added 30 more vessels along with insurance companies enabling these operations, underscoring the UK’s commitment to choking off the illicit oil revenues. The shadow fleet is believed to have transported over $24 billion worth of cargo since early 2024, demonstrating the economic scale targeted by the UK’s sanctions.
These maritime-focused bans have widened to also include entities supplying Russia’s military-industrial complex. This most recent package sanctions 30 companies and individuals connected to the provision of vital dual-use goods such as machine tools and advanced electronics critical for missile production. Sanctioned entities include Shenzhen Blue Hat International Trade Co, based in China, along with its Russian co-owners Elena Malitckaia and Alexey Malitskiy, and Turkey-based MastelMakina İthalat İhracat Limited Şirketi and its CEO Shanlik Shukurov, an Azerbaijani national. The breadth of these sanctions reflects the international nature of the supply chains fuelling Russia’s military capabilities.
Highlighting the geopolitical stakes, Cooper emphasised that the UK will not tolerate Putin’s “barbaric invasion” and reckless disregard for sovereignty, particularly following drone incursions into NATO airspace. She framed these sanctions as part of a broader “Plan for Change,” coordinated alongside allies and the “Coalition of the Willing,” to escalate economic pressure while bolstering security support for Ukraine. The UK’s approach aligns with a sustained strategy of sanctions combined with diplomatic and military assistance, aimed at securing a just and lasting peace in the region.
Official UK government releases confirm this is the largest sanctions package since the initial surge in 2022 during the early phase of the war. The ongoing measures are designed not only to weaken Putin’s military machine but also to disrupt the financial flows sustaining his illegal war, underpinning the UK’s broader commitment to a secure and prosperous Europe.
As Russia’s aggression continues unabated, marked by the scale of the recent missile attacks and infringement of NATO airspace, the UK’s latest sanctions underscore the escalating international response. By targeting the intricate networks supporting Russia’s war economy, the UK aims to constrict Putin’s capacity to wage war and hasten the restoration of peace in Ukraine.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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