The European Union Council has expanded its sanctions list by adding five individuals and four organizations implicated in bolstering Russia’s shadow fleet and its associated supply network. This move aims to further disrupt the financial streams supporting Russia’s activities.
The sanctioned individuals are business figures with direct or indirect ties to Russia’s leading state-controlled petroleum firms, Rosneft and Lukoil.
The EU released specifics regarding the newly listed targets:
- Murtaza Ali Lakhani: His corporate network facilitates the shipment and export of Russian oil, primarily sourced from the state-owned Rosneft. Lakhani oversees vessels that carry crude oil and petroleum products of Russian origin, employing irregular and high-risk maritime operations.
- Valery Kildiyarov: Serving as a manager for Alghaf Marine DMCC and finance director for Litasco Middle East DMCC, Kildiyarov is associated with companies that channel substantial quantities of Russian crude. The oil industry represents a critical revenue source for the Russian government.
- Anar Madatli: A shareholder and director of the UAE-based oil trading firm 2Rivers Group, formerly “Coral Energy.” Since 2024, the company has been owned by its managers: Talat Safarov, Ahmed Kerimov, and Madatli himself. 2Rivers Group conceals the true origin of oil to enable exports from Rosneft.
- Talat Safarov: A shareholder and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of 2Rivers Group.
- Etibar Eyyub: The founder and operator of a corporate network that included Coral Energy, the predecessor to 2Rivers Group. This structure is used to enable Russian oil shipments and exports.
- Nova Shipmanagement LLC-FZ: A UAE-based maritime management company that operates tankers transporting Russian crude oil. Several vessels under its management form part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.
- Citrine Marine SPC: A UAE-registered shipping firm that owns tankers engaged in the transport of Russian crude oil.
- Hung Phat Maritime Trading: This company owns or manages tankers that have been subjected to restrictive measures by the EU and other nations for their role in Russia’s shadow fleet.
- SeverTransBunker Company Limited: A Russian shipping company that owns and manages tankers. It is registered as the beneficial owner of multiple vessels carrying crude oil or petroleum products from Russia.
