The United Kingdom has announced a significant expansion of its sanctions regime against Russia’s energy sector, stating that it has now sanctioned all four of Russia’s largest oil producers and is moving further to squeeze Moscow’s oil revenues.
In a statement, the British government said the latest measures target an additional four Russian oil producers, as well as networks involved in facilitating the illicit trade of Russian oil. London emphasized that the move is aimed at further reducing Russia’s ability to sell oil on global markets and finance its war against Ukraine.
UK government claims that prior sanctions already covered approximately 83% of Russia’s total oil production. With the latest designations, Britain is now targeting the remaining 17%, including Russia’s fifth, sixth, and seventh largest oil companies by production volume.
The UK also urged its international partners to intensify efforts against Russia’s so-called shadow fleet — a network of tankers used to evade sanctions and oil price caps. In particular, the British government called on Georgia and other partner countries to strengthen controls to prevent imports linked to the shadow fleet.
“These vessels not only undermine sanctions,” the statement said, “but also operate outside safety and environmental standards, posing serious risks to maritime security.”
The expanded sanctions underscore the UK’s continued push to curb Russia’s energy revenues and close remaining loopholes in the global enforcement of oil-related restrictions.
Related story: EU sanctions 41 additional vessels from Russia’s Shadow oil tanker fleet
