Britain on Thursday announced new sanctions targeting Russian banks, “shadow fleet” vessels and importers of rare metals as part of ongoing efforts to squeeze Russia’s war economy.
The sanctions package covers 19 targets, including six Russian banks, six newly acquired shadow fleet tankers and four Russian companies importing tantalum and niobium, which the UK described as rare metals critical for producing military equipment used on the battlefield in Ukraine.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the six shadow fleet tankers were “responsible for dodging Western sanctions.”
The UK said it has imposed sanctions on more than 500 individuals, entities and ships under its Russia sanctions regime this year alone.
It added that more than 3,400 individuals, entities and ships have been sanctioned overall, saying the latest action underlines that Britain will continue to pressure Russia while supporting Ukraine.
“Ukraine’s fight is our fight… That’s why we will continue stepping up the pressure on Russia until a just and lasting peace has been reached,” U.K. foreign secretary Ed Miliband said in a statement.
Chancellor John Healey also defended the government’s latest actions.
“Our commitment to stand with the Ukrainian people is absolute.”
He added: “That’s why we’re introducing new tougher sanctions to choke off the funds that fuel Putin’s illegal war and are targeting his shadow fleet.”
Healey said Britain would continue taking action against Russia and shadow fleet activity to protect national security, support Ukraine and strengthen international stability.
Ukraine struck two military patrol boats, and vessels linked to Moscow’s shadow fleet in a new series of long-range operations aimed at cutting the energy revenues financing Russia’s war, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on August 6.
“Our responses to Russian aggression in the Black Sea were also successful. In particular, two military patrol boats and shadow fleet vessels were struck,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
The latest shadow fleet listings come as European countries are adopting an increasingly assertive stance against suspect ships.
According to the Ukrainian acting foreign minister Andrii Sybiha, the new British measures further weaken Russia’s financial sector and complicate the operation of the shadow fleet that helps finance Moscow’s war through energy exports.
“Every tanker stopped, every bank isolated, every supplier exposed means fewer resources for Russia’s war and fewer missiles aimed at Ukrainian cities. Sanctions work – and consistency makes them stronger,” he noted.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting on the imposition of sanctions against Russia and instructed officials to prepare an operational plan designed to significantly curtail the Russian military-industry.
