Sanctions Expanded Against Russia’s Shadow Fleet
New Zealand has expanded its sanctions against Russia, blacklisting 100 shadow fleet vessels, 23 individuals, and 13 entities spanning four countries while cutting the Russian oil price cap to $44.10 per barrel, according to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The package, which took effect on 20 February, targets Russian military intelligence operatives, weapons manufacturers, crypto exchange founders, and arms-linked entities from Iran, North Korea, and Belarus. This marks the Pacific nation’s 35th round of sanctions against Russia since its Russia Sanctions Act passed unanimously in March 2022.
GRU Operatives Sanctioned
The sanctions list names 16 members of three GRU military intelligence units with well-documented records of assassinations, sabotage, and cyberattacks. Seven operatives belong to GRU Unit 29155, which has been linked to the 2018 Novichok poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury, the 2014 Vrbétice ammunition depot explosions in Czechia, and the WhisperGate cyberattacks against Ukraine.
Three members of GRU Unit 74455 (Sandworm) made the list. The unit carried out the 2017 NotPetya cyberattack, which caused over $10 bn in global damage, and sabotaged the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. Six members of GRU Unit 26165 (APT28/Fancy Bear) were also designated, with a history of hacking campaigns targeting the German Social Democratic Party, Czech government institutions, and multiple NATO members.
Crypto Founders and Arms Makers Sanctioned
Wellington sanctioned three co-founders of Garantex, the Russian cryptocurrency exchange seized by US and European law enforcement after processing at least $96 bn in cryptocurrency transactions, hundreds of millions of which were linked to ransomware, darknet markets, and sanctions evasion. A second Russian crypto payment provider, Laitkhaus (also known as Lighthouse), was also designated.
Oil Price Cap Cut
The regulations cut the price cap on Russian-origin crude oil from $47.60 to $44.10 per barrel, matching the EU and UK level. The cap started at $60 when New Zealand first implemented it in February 2024 — a 26.5% reduction in two years.
Shadow Fleet Vessels Targeted
The 100 newly designated shadow fleet vessels face asset freezes and a ban on entering New Zealand waters. This move is part of the country’s efforts to tighten restrictions against Russia, which has been accused of using its shadow fleet to circumvent international sanctions.
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Original Article: New Zealand sanctions 100 Russian shadow fleet vessels and cuts oil price cap to $44.10 — Euromaidan Press