Britain imposes sanctions on 30 ships in Russia's shadow fleet

In an effort to undermine Russia's funding of its military operations in Ukraine, Britain has sanctioned 30 vessels that are part of Russia's shadow fleet. This fleet has been bypassing sanctions, ultimately facilitating the transport of billions of dollars' worth of petroleum. The announcement was made by the Foreign Office on a Monday, aligning with escalating measures taken by the UK and its allies to counteract Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine. With this latest action, the UK has now imposed sanctions on a total of 73 tankers, leading the way among nations in sanctions efforts. The Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, emphasized the importance of these sanctions at a G7 meeting, indicating that Russia's oil revenues are directly contributing to its war efforts. His remarks add a significant international dimension to the UK's actions, showcasing ongoing cooperation and commitment to collective sanctions among the G7 nations. This announcement comes after half of the sanctioned vessels were known to have delivered more than 3.4 billion pounds worth of oil in the past 12 months, highlighting the financial significance of this fleet to Russia's economy. In addition to targeting these ships, British authorities have also sanctioned two insurers linked to the fleet, marking a comprehensive approach to dismantling the operation's support structure. The Foreign Office has stated that this is the largest sanctions package launched against this fleet, which is notorious for its illegitimate and often decrepit conditions while operating outside legal frameworks. Overall, the measures reflect a broader strategy to cripple what has become a vital funding source for Moscow amid its war against Ukraine, reinforcing the UK and allied nations' resolve to hold Russia accountable for its actions and support Ukraine in its defense efforts.