The UK government has implemented 70 additional sanctions aimed at disrupting Russia's shadow fleet, military supply chains, and financial networks.
According to the UK Foreign Office on June 16, this brings the total number of sanctions imposed on Russian individuals, companies, and vessels this year to over 500.
The government stated that these sanctions are intended to "dismantle Russia's ability to conduct its invasion of Ukraine across multiple fronts."
The new sanctions include more than 20 oil tankers and liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels. Notably, the UK is the first among the G7 nations to sanction LNG carriers associated with Russia's Arctic LNG 2 project.
The Foreign Office criticized these vessels for serving as a funding source for the Kremlin through the export of millions of tons of LNG. Since the outbreak of the Ukraine war, the UK has sanctioned over 600 vessels linked to Russia's shadow fleet and LNG carriers.
Controls have also been tightened on the flow of military and sensitive technologies. The UK sanctioned 10 officers from the Russian military's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) and three related companies suspected of circumventing Western technology acquisition. Among those sanctioned is the front company 'Neptune,' which facilitated the supply of Western technology.
Companies supporting Russia's wartime finances have also been targeted. Yandex Bank, a financial subsidiary of the tech company Yandex, and the major insurance firm Rosgosstrakh are now on the sanctions list. The scope of sanctions has also expanded to include suppliers from third countries such as China, Thailand, and Turkey that have supplied key military equipment to Russia.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated, "These sanctions are aimed at vessels and funding sources that support Russia's wartime economy and threaten European security. We will continue to work with our G7 allies to intensify pressure on President Putin."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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