UK targets Russia’s oil revenue with new wave of sanctions
Date of Publication: July 23, 2025
In a continued effort to undermine the financial foundations of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, the United Kingdom has imposed a sweeping package of 137 new sanctions targeting Russia’s critical oil sector and associated maritime logistics.
This action further tightens the UK’s sanctions regime and aims to dismantle President Putin’s shadow oil fleet operations while curbing vital revenue streams supporting the war.
Disrupting Putin’s war chest
The latest designations focus heavily on Russia’s energy and oil infrastructure, a sector that has fuelled over $24 billion in cargo shipments since early 2024 through illicit means.
Central to the enforcement are 135 sanctioned oil tankers forming the backbone of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a covert maritime network used to evade sanctions and transport crude oil under opaque registries.
Two major enablers
of this operation have been specifically targeted:- Intershipping Services LLC:A vessel registration firm linked to the Gabonese flag, responsible for facilitating the covert transportation of up to $10 billion worth of goods annually on behalf of the Russian state.
- Litasco Middle East DMCC:A Dubai-based entity associated with Russian oil giant Lukoil, actively involved in moving significant volumes of Russian oil using shadow fleet vessels.
This announcement comes alongside the UK and EU’s coordinated decision to lower the Crude Oil Price Cap, a strategic tool designed to limit the per-barrel price Russia can legally receive on international markets.
Conclusion
The UK’s latest measures underscore its unwavering commitment to enforcing sanctions that cut deep into Russia’s capacity to sustain its war efforts. By targeting both the physical fleet and the facilitators behind the shadow oil trade, the government continues to intensify financial constraints on the Kremlin.
Businesses must remain vigilant and ensure they are not directly or indirectly involved with designated vessels, companies, or individuals. Thorough due diligence, especially in shipping, trade, and energy sectors, is essential to maintain compliance and uphold UK sanctions laws.
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