Britain Targets 135 Russian Oil Tankers to Cut Off War Funding

On Monday, the UK imposed sanctions on 135 oil tankers part of Russia’s clandestine fleet, aiming to disrupt the financial resources that support Moscow’s military operations in Ukraine.

Along with the tankers, a shipping services company and an oil trading firm were sanctioned due to their role in a fleet responsible for illegally transporting $24 billion worth of oil since the beginning of 2024, according to a statement from the Foreign Office.

Security experts note that this aging fleet is utilized by Russia to evade international sanctions that prevent it from selling oil.

Since Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, hundreds of vessels have faced sanctions from both the European Union and the UK.

«These new measures will further dismantle Putin’s shadow fleet and reduce the essential oil revenues that finance Russia’s military,” stated Foreign Minister David Lammy on Monday.

This announcement followed a recent reduction of the crude oil price cap by the UK and the EU, which further hampers the flow of oil funds into Putin’s resources, as noted in the ministry’s statement.

The UK government has also targeted Intershipping Services LLC, accused of «registering shadow fleet vessels under the Gabonese flag,» and Litasco Middle East DMCC, which has connections to the Russian oil company Lukoil, for their ongoing involvement in transporting large quantities of Russian oil via these shadow fleet ships.

«As Putin continues to stall serious peace negotiations, we will not remain passive,» Lammy emphasized.

«We will persist in utilizing the full scope of our sanctions strategy to intensify economic pressure at every opportunity.»

Earlier on Monday, the UK called for a 50-dayinitiative to provide Ukraine with arms following U.S. President Donald Trump’s ultimatum to Moscow for a peace deal with Kyiv within the same timeframe.

Trump also promised to send additional military aid to Kyiv, supported by NATO allies, amidst the escalating Russian airstrikes on its cities.