The United Kingdom has announced a new package of 70 sanctions targeting Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, military procurement networks and financial structures used to evade Western restrictions, as G7 leaders gather to discuss continued support for Ukraine.
UK government says the measures are aimed at increasing pressure on Moscow following Russia’s latest attacks on Ukraine, which reportedly killed civilians and damaged religious sites.
The sanctions package targets more than 20 oil tankers linked to Russia’s ageing shadow fleet, which has been used to circumvent restrictions on Russian oil exports. London has also imposed sanctions on ship insurers and maritime service providers suspected of facilitating Russia’s illicit oil trade.
The UK became the first G7 country to sanction several liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels recently acquired by Russia to support the Arctic LNG 2 project, a major energy initiative already subject to international sanctions. British officials said the project is intended to generate revenue for the Kremlin despite Western restrictions.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the new measures target “the vessels, the money and the actors propping up Russia’s war economy.”
“Working with our G7 allies, we will continue to increase the pressure on Putin and his circle of collaborators until Russia’s war machine is brought to a halt and peace returns to our continent,” Starmer stated.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the sanctions are designed to counter Russia’s efforts to sustain its war through covert financial and logistical networks.
“As the Kremlin resorts to ever more shady tactics to sustain its war, from its ageing shadow fleet to covert finance networks, the UK remains one step ahead in shutting them down,” Cooper said.
The package also targets a network allegedly linked to Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU. British authorities imposed sanctions on three companies and ten GRU officers accused of procuring Western technology for Russia’s military through front company LLC Neptune Co Ltd.
In addition, the UK sanctioned suppliers of military-related equipment operating in China, Thailand and Türkiye, as well as entities accused of helping Russia bypass international financial restrictions. Among them is a Nigerian-based company allegedly connected to the A7 sanctions-evasion network.
UK government says nearly 500 individuals, entities and vessels have been sanctioned under the country’s Russia sanctions regime since the beginning of 2026. British authorities also noted that more than 600 shadow fleet and Russian LNG vessels have been sanctioned to date.
The announcement comes as G7 leaders meet in Évian-les-Bains, France, where support for Ukraine and efforts to increase pressure on Russia remain among the summit’s key priorities.
Header image: UK Royal Marine Commandos take part in a maritime interdiction operation on the vessel SMYRTOS off the south coast of England, June 14, 2026. UK MOD Crown/LPhot Hutchins/Handout via REUTERS
