UK Targets Russia’s Shadow Fleet With New Sanctions to Undermine Putin’s War Machine

The United Kingdom is preparing to roll out a new wave of sanctions targeting a fleet of Russian oil tankers accused of evading international restrictions imposed on Moscow’s energy exports. This move, part of a broader effort to curb the Kremlin’s ability to fund its war in Ukraine, will affect up to 100 vessels suspected of operating as part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.” These ships have reportedly carried more than £18 billion worth of oil and gas since the beginning of 2024.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to formally announce the sanctions during a summit of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) in Oslo, Norway. The JEF is a United Kingdom–led coalition of ten northern European nations, including Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Finland, and the Baltic states, working together on regional security and defense coordination. The summit comes amid mounting international pressure to strengthen sanctions enforcement and close loopholes that continue to benefit the Russian war effort.

According to Downing Street, these new sanctions mark a significant escalation in the UK’s strategy to weaken Russian President Vladimir Putin’s financial resources. The Prime Minister is set to underline the UK’s determination to dismantle Moscow’s covert maritime operations, pledging that his government will “destroy Putin’s shadow fleet operation, starve his war machine of oil revenues, and protect the subsea infrastructure critical to European stability.”

The concept of a “shadow fleet” emerged after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In response, Western nations imposed sweeping sanctions, including bans on Russian oil imports and a price cap on its crude exports. To bypass these restrictions, Russia is believed to have assembled a fleet of older, often poorly maintained oil tankers that operate in legal and regulatory grey areas. These vessels often sail under flags of convenience and are registered through opaque ownership structures to conceal their ties to Russia.

Many of these ships reportedly switch off transponders to evade tracking, conduct ship-to-ship transfers in international waters, and falsify documentation to obscure the true origin and destination of their cargo. Western intelligence agencies have raised concerns that profits from these clandestine operations are directly supporting the Kremlin’s military expenditures.

In addition to their role in circumventing sanctions, UK officials have warned that the shadow fleet poses a growing threat to maritime safety. Many of the vessels have been described as “decrepit and dangerous,” with reckless operating practices that have resulted in collisions and environmental incidents. The government has linked the fleet to a broader pattern of risky behavior at sea, including damage to subsea infrastructure.

One recent incident—still under investigation—involved significant disruption to an undersea cable in the Baltic Sea. Although the UK has not officially attributed the incident to any specific actor, officials have cited it as an example of the broader risks posed by unchecked maritime activities in the region.

Under the new sanctions, vessels identified as part of the shadow fleet will be banned from entering UK ports. If they are found in British waters, they risk being detained. The UK government has also indicated plans to collaborate with other JEF member states to enforce the measures across northern Europe, creating a regional front against Russia’s shadow operations.

This isn’t the UK’s first action against the shadow fleet. In December 2024, the government imposed sanctions on 133 vessels during a previous JEF meeting. The latest move underscores London’s sustained commitment to economic and diplomatic pressure on the Kremlin.

Prime Minister Starmer stressed that taking firm action against Russia is not only essential for Ukraine’s future but also for the security of the UK and its allies. “Every measure we impose is a step toward peace for Ukraine and toward security and prosperity at home,” he said.

In addition to the maritime crackdown, the JEF summit is expected to produce new pledges of military and humanitarian support for Ukraine. Member nations are also preparing joint plans to fortify critical infrastructure against both physical and cyber threats, with an emphasis on energy and communication networks vulnerable to foreign sabotage.

As Russia’s war in Ukraine drags into its third year, international coordination remains crucial to sustaining pressure on the Kremlin. The UK’s sanctions on the shadow fleet are part of a broader strategy to cut off the financial lifelines enabling Russian aggression—underscoring that while the battlefield may be in Ukraine, the fight for accountability spans the globe, from banking halls to shipping lanes.