The United Kingdom has intensified its economic pressure on Russia by imposing sanctions on 20 oil tankers linked to Moscow’s covert “shadow fleet,” alongside individuals and companies supporting Russia’s military and energy sectors. Announced on June 17, 2025, during Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to the G7 Summit in Canada, these measures aim to choke off critical revenue streams funding Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and safeguard global energy security.
UK Targets Putin’s Shadow Fleet to Curtail Illicit Oil Trade
The newly sanctioned vessels are part of what the UK government describes as “Putin’s shadow fleet”—a network of aging oil tankers used to circumvent existing sanctions and facilitate Russia’s clandestine oil exports. These tankers will now face bans from entering UK ports and risk detention in British waters, disrupting Russia’s ability to covertly move oil on international markets.
Key Entities and Individuals Sanctioned
Alongside the 20 tankers, the UK has sanctioned four individuals and six entities directly involved in supporting Russia’s shadow fleet and broader military-industrial complex:
- Rosneft Marine (UK) Limited: The bunker trading arm of Rosneft, established in 2010, which supplies fuel to international vessels.
- Orion Star Group LLC and Valegro LLC-FZ: Companies managing and crewing shadow fleet vessels that enable Russia’s illicit oil trade.
- Main Directorate for Deep-Sea Research (GUGI): A Russian Defense Ministry agency specializing in underwater intelligence and protecting subsea infrastructure.
- JSC “ATLAS” and Metallurg LLC: Firms linked to Russia’s extractive industries.
- Individuals including Yuriy Anatolyevich Karasev, Igor Yurievch Karasev, Vladimir Grigoryevich Pristoupa, and Olech Tkacz: Notably, two UK residents were sanctioned for allegedly operating a shell company network that funneled over $120 million worth of high-tech electronics, including classified goods, into Russia.
These sanctions impose asset freezes, director disqualifications, and restrictions on trust services, aiming to dismantle financial and operational support for Russia’s war efforts.
Statements from UK Leadership Highlight Determination
Prime Minister Keir Starmer underscored the UK’s resolve to cut off funding for Russia’s war machine, stating, “The UK is ramping up the pressure on Russia—there should be no place to hide for those who fund Putin’s war machine.” He emphasized the importance of increasing economic pressure to encourage President Vladimir Putin to pursue peace, adding, “We will take every step necessary to protect our national security and keep our country safe and secure.”
Foreign Secretary David Lammy reinforced this stance, highlighting plans to collaborate with international partners to tighten the Oil Price Cap, a mechanism designed to reduce Russia’s oil revenues while maintaining global energy market stability.
Context: A Broader Strategy to Weaken Russia’s War Economy
This latest round of sanctions forms part of a sustained UK and G7 effort to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. To date, the UK has sanctioned over 2,300 Russian individuals, entities, and vessels, collectively depriving Russia of an estimated $450 billion—equivalent to roughly two years of funding for its military campaign.
The UK government has described the shadow fleet as “decrepit and dangerous,” citing instances of reckless navigation that pose risks to maritime safety. By targeting these vessels and their supporting infrastructure, the UK aims to disrupt Russia’s ability to sustain its war economy through covert oil sales.
Implications for Global Energy Security and Maritime Enforcement
The sanctions against the shadow fleet not only aim to curtail Russia’s illicit oil trade but also send a strong message to international maritime operators and financial institutions. By freezing assets and restricting services linked to these tankers and companies, the UK is tightening the noose around Russia’s ability to exploit global energy markets.
Moreover, the targeting of underwater intelligence agencies like GUGI highlights concerns over Russia’s efforts to protect critical subsea infrastructure, which could have broader implications for global maritime security.
The UK’s latest sanctions package underscores a strategic escalation in economic warfare against Russia, focusing on the shadow fleet that enables Moscow to bypass sanctions and finance its military aggression. As the UK and its allies continue to coordinate efforts, the pressure on Russia’s war economy is set to intensify, aiming to hasten a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
