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UK imposes sanctions on 'ghost fleet' of oil tankers Russia uses to evade Western embargo
The move against 10 oil tankers represents the latest crackdown on the revenue stream that funds Putin's war machine. The announcement came as the British foreign minister traveled to Kiev with the US secretary of state.
The British government announced new sanctions on Wednesday against the "ghost fleet" of Russian tankers that Moscow uses to export oil, circumventing a Western embargo imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.
Experts say the so-called ghost fleet of tankers with opaque ownership or inadequate insurance has allowed the Kremlin to continue exporting despite an export embargo and a price cap on oil in global sales. tankers
What is the ghost fleet of oil tankers and how does it work?
The ghost fleet refers to a network of oil tankers that are used to circumvent international sanctions and regulations. These ships often have hidden ownership, sail under flags of convenience, or erase their tracking systems to avoid detection.
The fleet has been essential to Russia’s continued flow of oil revenues, one of the largest sources of funding for the war in Ukraine. According to estimates, Russia continues to export millions of barrels of oil per day, much of which is transported by the shadow fleet.
The use of these tactics has been criticized by Western countries, which are trying to stifle the Russian economy and cut off funding for the war. tankers
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New British sanctions: impact on Russian exports
The announcement of the new sanctions was made while the Minister of Foreign Affairs, david lammy, was traveling to Kiev on an unprecedented visit with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, at a time when Russia's alleged acquisition of Iranian missiles was raising concerns.
It is the third time the UK has attempted to crack down on what the Foreign Office says are “critical sources of revenue that fund Putin’s war machine”, bringing the total number of sanctioned vessels to 25.
Russia's oil exports are the Kremlin's main source of revenue to fund its war in Ukraine, and the 10 vessels targeted by this new round of sanctions were "high-volume violators," according to British officials.
Under the sanctions, these vessels are banned from entering UK ports and from accessing the UK's Shipping Register, limiting their ability to operate in the international market. tankers
Russia adapts to international pressure
Despite Western efforts to restrict Russia’s revenues, the Kremlin has found creative ways to get around sanctions. Russia has been exploring alternative routes for its energy products, including bilateral deals with countries such as China and India.
Furthermore, the use of the ghost fleet allows Russia to continue selling oil at prices below the imposed, but still profitable, price cap to sustain its economy. The ghost fleet is estimated to account for a significant portion of Russian exports, making it a strategic tool in the economic war with the West. tankers
UK-US collaboration
The latest British move to boost support for Ukraine comes as Lammy and Blinken plan to discuss easing restrictions on Ukraine's use of Western weapons against Russia.
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden said the United States was considering lifting restrictions on long-range U.S.-made missiles, giving Ukraine more ability to strike strategic targets deep inside Russia.
The sanctions also come a day after London and Washington sanctioned Iranian and Russian companies and military officials over their role in supplying military equipment, especially ballistic missiles, from Iran to Russia. These increasingly close military deals are raising geopolitical tensions and could escalate the conflict in Ukraine. tankers
