In a press release published on May 20, 2025, the UK government announced a sweeping new package of over 100 sanctions targeting Russia’s military-industrial complex, financial institutions, and shadow oil fleet, in response to what it described as “Putin’s biggest ever drone attack against Ukraine.”
According to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the sanctions are aimed at “undermining Russia’s ability to wage its illegal war” and include measures against:
- 46 financial institutions, including the Russian National Reinsurance Company, which the UK says is “central to Russia’s ability to circumvent Western sanctions on its oil exports.”
- 18 additional vessels in Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” used to transport sanctioned oil. This brings the total number of UK-designated shadow fleet vessels to over 110.
- Individuals involved in the shadow fleet, including a British national accused of procuring vessels and two Russian captains of sanctioned tankers.
The UK also sanctioned entities supporting Russia’s energy exports, military supply chains, and disinformation operations.
The full press release can be found here:
