Disguised as Shipping, Oil Export... EU Imposes Additional Sanctions on Russia's 'Shadow Fleet'

The European Union (EU) plans to add the 'shadow fleet'?Russian crude oil vessels disguised as ships from other countries exporting oil abroad?to its sanctions list, according to reports by political media outlet Politico and the Associated Press on the 11th (local time).

This sanction is the 15th targeting Russia related to the Ukraine war, with the EU agreeing to impose additional sanctions on 52 oil tankers. It is expected to be officially adopted at the Foreign Ministers' meeting on the 16th.

Russian oil tanker. Photo by AP Yonhap News

As a result, the number of Russian oil export vessels subject to sanctions is expected to increase to 79.

The Hungarian Parliament, holding the rotating presidency of the EU, stated in a press release, "This package adds more individuals and entities to the existing sanctions list and targets Russian and third-country entities that indirectly contribute to Russia's military and technological enhancement by circumventing export restrictions."

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, welcomed the agreement on the sanctions package targeting the Russian shadow fleet via social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Western economic sanctions have blocked its export routes, leading Russia to disguise its crude oil exports under other countries' flags. The EU's previous 14 sanction lists included over 2,300 individuals, entities, and vessels.