EU targets Russia’s shadow fleet with new sanctions push |
The European Union has taken another significant step to tighten the economic noose around Russia’s war machine, approving a new round of sanctions aimed squarely at what Brussels describes as Moscow’s “shadow fleet” – a sprawling, opaque network of vessels, intermediaries, and trading entities that has helped Russia continue exporting crude oil despite Western restrictions. The latest measures, approved by the European Council on December 15, reflect growing frustration within the bloc over Russia’s ability to adapt to sanctions and sustain its war effort in Ukraine through energy revenues.
At the heart of the new sanctions package are five individuals and four companies accused of enabling or managing tankers involved in the transport of Russian crude oil and petroleum products, often through high-risk and deceptive shipping practices. According to the European Council, the targeted firms are based in the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, and Russia, and are alleged to play a central role in owning or operating vessels that circumvent international restrictions on Russian oil exports.
The EU’s move underscores a broader shift in sanctions policy: rather than focusing solely on Russian state entities, Brussels is increasingly targeting foreign-based intermediaries and facilitators who help Moscow bypass controls. This reflects a recognition that Russia’s ability to fund its war is no longer dependent only on direct state-to-state trade, but on a global web of private actors, shell companies, and aging tankers operating beyond traditional regulatory........