The UK has imposed massive sanctions on the Russian “shadow” fleet.
In total, more than 100 new positions have been added to the UK’s sanctions list on May 9. These include 100 oil tankers which have transported more than $24 billion worth of cargo since the start of 2024.
In addition to tankers, the sanctions list also includes the Insurance Company “Soglasie” registered in Moscow. According to the UK authorities, the “shadow fleet” – i.e., tankers flying under the flags of other countries and transporting Russian oil and gas – may also be responsible for damage to underwater infrastructure (the British authorities cite incidents in the Baltic Sea as examples).
“Subsea infrastructure is the lifeblood of the UK’s connectivity, carrying 99% of international telecommunications data, and vital energy supplies such as electricity, oil and gas. The infrastructure is at risk of being disrupted by unseaworthy vessels lacking safety certification, the right technology to avoid the infrastructure, or purposefully disabling locator technology,” the UK Government stated in a statement.
