EU, UK target propagandists, shadow fleet, global firms in new Russia sanctions

Content

1. EU strikes hard at Russia’s shadow fleet and money laundering with 17th sanctions package

2. Allies step up fight against Russia’s shadow fleet: Britain imposes new strong sanctions package

3. Crackdown on Russian oil and gas networks intensifies; new, even stronger measures announced

Espreso will provide a detailed overview of the EU’s 17th sanctions package and the UK’s new list, introduced shortly after Putin refused an unconditional ceasefire before the talks in Istanbul.

EU strikes hard at Russia’s shadow fleet and money laundering with 17th sanctions package

The latest EU sanctions list can confidently be called the largest aimed at combating tankers under "shadow" flags. This time, restrictions complicate the movement of 189 vessels transporting Russian oil. As of today, a total of 342 ships are affected.

For comparison, in November 2024, the organization S&P Global Commodities at Sea & Maritime Intelligence Risk Suite identified 889 tankers with a maximum capacity of over 27,000 tons, likely used for transporting oil subject to sanctions.

This time, importantly, EU sanctions targeted not only old ships but also the entire ecosystem that keeps these "routes" open. This includes shipping companies involved in the trade of Russian crude oil and petroleum products. Moreover, these entities are registered and operate in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Hong Kong.

As part of efforts to counter Russian energy trade, the latest package also hit the Russian oil company Surgutneftegaz, whose revenues are linked to direct funding of Putin’s military actions in Ukraine.

The EU also targeted not only the "shadow fleet" and energy giants but also the military "engine" of Russia’s war against Ukraine, almost 50 entities supplying the occupiers’ army with drones, weapons, military equipment, and critical components.

Moreover, the "sanctions map against Russia and co." continues to expand, as the latest list includes three Chinese companies, as well as Belarusian and Israeli firms, which the EU Council says supplied Russia with components for drones.

In addition, strict restrictions were imposed on 31 foreign companies from Serbia, the UAE, Turkey, Vietnam, and Uzbekistan that export dual-use goods and technologies to Russia.

Also notable are several measures aimed at combating the plundering of cultural heritage in occupied Crimea. For example, restrictions were imposed on the Russian State Historical and Archaeological Museum-Reserve Tauric Chersonese and its director, Russian national Yelena Morozova.

"Since the annexation of Crimea, the museum has actively been involved in destroying Ukrainian cultural heritage, promoting pro-Russian narratives about the cultural significance of the artifacts and excavation sites it manages," the EU sanctions list states.

Russian propagandists also have a separate place on the list. Among them are operatives of the Russian military intelligence agency, Alik Khuchbarov and Ilya Bocharov, linked to undermining democratic political processes in Estonia; German bloggers Thomas Röper and Alina Lipp; African and Turkish media companies with direct Russian ties; and the Czech online media Voice of Europe, which spread coordinated disinformation about Ukraine, the European Union, and its member states to support Russia’s foreign policy interests. Notably, Viktor Medvedchuk was sanctioned again, this time for the mentioned Voice of Europe and another propaganda outlet, Another Ukraine.

Allies step up fight against Russia’s shadow fleet: Britain imposes new strong sanctions package

On the same day, May 20, the United Kingdom also announced a new package of restrictions targeting Russia and its affiliated entities. According to the press release, this list is linked to the largest drone attack in history, carried out by Russia against Ukraine.

First, the United Kingdom once again struck at the “shadow fleet” that helps Russia bypass sanctions and trade oil — an additional 18 ships will be banned from sailing in UK waters and using its ports.

A notable breakthrough is that the restrictions list includes the Swiss transport company Rhodania Shipping SA and British citizen John Ormrod. Both the Geneva-based company and the UK national are involved in schemes to purchase old ships and register them as tankers for transporting sanctioned oil. Sanctions also targeted two captains of Russian ships sailing under "shadow" flags.

The list further includes companies directly involved in supporting and sustaining the Russian military-industrial complex. It is emphasized that this time the sanctions target supply chains for deadly Russian weapon systems, including Iskander missiles. Interestingly, among the 12 companies on the list are two Shanghai-based firms.

The new sanctions list places significant focus on the financial sector. It includes as many as 50 companies that help Russia evade sanctions and keep its economy afloat. Among them are the Deposit Insurance Fund, a network of currency exchanges, as well as registration and customs centers.

The British government adds that Russia’s GDP contracted in the first quarter of this year, and the non-defense economy has been stagnating for some time.

“Security and defense spending now accounts for over 40% of the federal budget, and Putin has been forced to raise taxes and cut social spending to continue the war,” the UK government statement said.

The British also singled out restrictions on the so-called Moscow Social Design Agencies. Funded by the Kremlin, these agencies carry out information operations aimed at undermining sovereignty, democracy, and the rule of law, not only in Ukraine but worldwide. This company has been sanctioned for the second time, but this time Britain focused on all its branches, not just the leaders.

Crackdown on Russian oil and gas networks intensifies; new, even stronger measures announced

It is very important, though less noticeable, that both the European Union and the United Kingdom have announced a new cap on the price of oil. This will limit the payment Russia can receive for its "black gold" when transported using G7 services such as insurance and shipping. The maximum price is set at $60. As a result, Russian oil will cost only slightly more than the production and logistics expenses, significantly reducing the revenues of Putin’s war machine.

It is easy to notice that after the latest outright refusal of the Russian military leadership to cease fire, Europe and other reliable allies of Ukraine have not only strengthened their pro-Ukrainian statements but also begun to prove through actions that it is not only Ukraine that wants to end the war. This includes recent statements in Kyiv by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer about 110 "shadow ships" against which restrictions are being prepared, the price caps on Russian oil that will only tighten and become harsher in the future, and the already announced 18th EU sanctions package, reported by both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. According to officials, allies demanding peace from Russia will continue to increase pressure on the aggressor’s military machine and economy.