On December 13, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree implementing the National Security and Defense Council’s decision to impose sanctions on 656 maritime vessels that form part of Russia’s shadow fleet. This represents the largest sanctions package specifically targeting tankers and other vessels used to support Russia’s war effort.
Overview of the Sanctions
The sanctioned vessels were identified through monitoring operations in the Black, Red, and Baltic seas. These ships have been used by Russia to circumvent sanctions imposed by the European Union, the G7, and other countries, enabling the export of oil, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas.
According to the President’s office, shipowners and crews disabled their Automatic Identification Systems and employed schemes to conceal vessel ownership and cargo origins. The sanctioned vessels operate under the flags of more than 50 countries, with the most frequent registrations in Gambia, Sierra Leone, Panama, and Cameroon.
International Coordination
Ukraine will share all relevant information with the countries under whose flags these vessels are registered and will work with them to halt the issuance of operating licenses. The government plans to coordinate with international partners to synchronize these sanctions across their respective jurisdictions.
A significant portion of the sanctioned vessels are already under sanctions from the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Strategic Significance
Zelenskyy characterized the sanctions package as a key step in countering the Russian fleet used to transport oil and energy products that fund the Kremlin’s war operations. The sanctions apply to vessels sailing under more than 50 jurisdictions, including both Russian-flagged and foreign-flagged ships.
Ukraine will continue working with partners to push for a complete ban on maritime services for vessels involved in the export of Russian energy resources. The country supports the concept of a comprehensive prohibition on providing maritime services to any vessels engaged in exporting Russian energy products.
Previous Sanctions Alignment
On November 30, Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine had aligned its sanctions policy with that of the United States by imposing restrictions on Russian oil giant Rosneft and companies affiliated with the Lukoil group.
The Atlantic previously reported that Ukraine had attacked five tankers from the shadow fleet that were transporting Russian oil in recent weeks.
