Ukraine Imposes Sanctions on 91 Shadow Fleet Tankers Used to Transport Russian Oil
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on February 12 enacted a decision by the National Security and Defense Council to impose sanctions against 91 vessels that form part of Russia’s shadow fleet, according to the Presidential Office website. These tankers were used to transport oil and petroleum products from Russian ports, including Novorossiysk, Ust-Luga, and Primorsk, to third countries in circumvention of sanctions imposed by the European Union, G7, and other states.
The sanctioned vessels sailed under the flags of approximately 20 countries. Only one flew a Russian flag, while the rest carried flags of Panama, Liberia, Cameroon, Barbados, the Marshall Islands, Hong Kong, Sierra Leone, Tonga, Palau, Guinea, the Comoros, the Bahamas, Indonesia, Malawi, Guinea-Bissau, Djibouti, Guyana, and Eswatini. Ukraine will transmit relevant information to these states and work with partners on further synchronization of sanctions in their jurisdictions.
Sanctioned Vessels Already Under Scrutiny by Partners
Twenty-seven vessels from this list are already under sanctions by partners: the United States, Great Britain, Switzerland, and the European Union. These countries have taken swift action to identify and impose sanctions on key vessels involved in circumventing oil sanctions. The move aims to disrupt Russia’s ability to finance its war efforts through illegal means.
“Shadow fleet tankers are a key tool for circumventing oil sanctions, so their identification and imposition of sanctions against them must occur quickly and without exceptions,” said Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the president’s advisor and commissioner for sanctions policy. “Each such vessel should be viewed as an element of financing the Russian war machine.”
Experts Warn of Unsustainable War-Based Economy
Earlier, EU sanctions representative David O’Sullivan stated that Russia’s war-based economy may be approaching a point where it becomes “unsustainable.” The continued flow of oil and petroleum products through illegal means is crucial to sustaining Russia’s military efforts. As international pressure mounts, the effectiveness of these sanctions will be crucial in disrupting Russia’s ability to wage war.
The Ukrainian government’s decision to impose sanctions on 91 shadow fleet tankers marks a significant step forward in the global effort to counter Russia’s illegal activities. By targeting key vessels and working with partners to synchronize sanctions, Ukraine aims to disrupt Russia’s ability to finance its war efforts and ultimately bring an end to the conflict.
Original Article: Ukraine sanctions 91 shadow fleet tankers used to transport Russian oil — Euromaidan Press