UK Imposes Fresh Sanctions on 90 Entities to Cripple Russia’s War Financing

The United Kingdom has unveiled a new round of sanctions targeting 90 entities in a move aimed at cutting off revenue streams that continue to fund Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. Announced on 15 October, the measures were introduced jointly by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the UK Treasury, with officials stating that the sanctions are intended to “strike at the heart of Putin’s war funding.”

A key element of the new sanctions package is a clampdown on Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” with 51 vessels blacklisted for their roles in transporting Russian crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG). The UK government emphasized that this fleet plays a critical role in evading existing sanctions and maintaining the flow of Russian energy exports.

The sanctions also target major Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil, along with affiliated firms operating in China, India, and the United Arab Emirates. According to an explanatory notice released by the UK Treasury, both Rosneft and Lukoil were sanctioned because they “obtain a benefit from or support the Government of Russia” and operate within sectors considered strategically vital to the Kremlin.

In response, Russia’s embassy in London issued a statement through Anadolu Agency, warning that the latest restrictions on Rosneft and Lukoil will have repercussions beyond Russia itself. The embassy argued that the measures are affecting global energy markets, asserting that attempts to “strangle” Russia’s economy “will ultimately backfire” and claiming that the sanctions will “worsen energy insecurity in the Global South.”

The UK government maintained that both energy giants generate substantial economic value for the Russian state, directly bolstering its capacity to continue the war in Ukraine. As part of the expanded sanctions list, 44 oil tankers carrying Russian crude and seven carriers shipping LNG — including those involved with the Arctic LNG-2 project — have been designated.

Under the new regulations, all listed vessels are prohibited from receiving insurance services, undergoing repairs, or entering UK ports. They are also barred from engaging in any operations under British jurisdiction, marking one of the UK’s most sweeping measures to date against Russia’s energy export network.

By fLEXI tEAM