Sir Keir Starmer’s office announced massive sanctions on more than 100 oil tankers in an effort to target Vladimir Putin’s “shadow fleet” used to transport the crucial Russian export. The ships, used to circumvent existing regulations, have carried over £18 billion worth of cargo since 2024, something Sir Keir Starmer vowed to “destroy”.
Downing Street said the “decrepit and dangerous” are “bankrolling the Kremlin’s illegal war in Ukraine” and responsible for “reckless seafaring”. The new measures will ban the sanctioned tankers from British ports and could see them detained in the country’s waters. Sir Keir is expected to announce the fresh wave of restrictions at the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) summit of northern European leaders in Oslo, Norway.
The Prime Minister previously promised to take town Putin’s “shadow fleet operation, starve his war machine of oil revenues and protect the subsea infrastructure”.
He said that every step that incentivises Russia to come to the negotiating table “is another step towards security and prosperity in the UK”.
In December 2024, the Government announced sanctions against 133 shadow fleet vessels during the JEF summit.
Sir Keir said ahead of Friday’s meeting: “Every step we take to increase pressure on Russia and achieve a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine is another step towards security and prosperity in the UK.
“The threat from Russia to our national security cannot be underestimated, that is why we will do everything in our power to destroy his shadow fleet operation, starve his war machine of oil revenues and protect the subsea infrastructure that we rely on for our everyday lives.
“My Government will safeguard working people from paying the price from the costly threat Putin’s fleet poses to UK critical national infrastructure and the environment.”