Russia\u2019s shadow fleet will be hit with the largest ever sanctions package from the UK government today.<\/p>\n
It will sanction up to 100 vessels that form a core part of Putin\u2019s shadow fleet operation and are responsible for carrying more than $24bn-worth of cargo since the start of 2024.<\/p>\n
The shadow fleet \u2013 a network of ships often characterised by weak ownership and multiples flags of convenience, for transporting sanctioned goods \u2013 is bankrolling the Kremlin\u2019s war in Ukraine and damaging critical infrastructure through \u201creckless seafaring\u201d.<\/p>\n
Protecting subsea infrastructure from malicious and careless incidents is expected to be a key part of leaders\u2019 discussions at a Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) summit to be held in Oslo today.<\/p>\n
The JEF is a UK-led defence and security partnership involving ten northern European countries.<\/p>\n
The move comes after the JEF activated an advanced UK-led reaction system, known as Nordic Warden, in January, to track potential threats to undersea infrastructure and monitor the Russian shadow fleet, following reported damage to a major undersea cable in the Baltic Sea.<\/p>\n
The UK has identified 22 areas of interest \u2013 including parts of the English Channel, North Sea, Kattegat, and Baltic, which are currently being monitored from the JEF\u2019s operational headquarters in Northwood near London.<\/p>\n
Subsea infrastructure carries 99% of international telecommunications data, and vital energy supplies such as electricity, oil and gas.<\/p>\n
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, \u201cThe threat from Russia to our national security cannot be underestimated. That is why we will do everything in our power to destroy his shadow fleet operation, starve his war machine of oil revenues and protect the subsea infrastructure that we rely on for our everyday lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Russia\u2019s oil and gas revenues have fallen every year since 2022 \u2013 losing over a third of its value in three years \u2013 but liquefied natural gas has increased<\/a>. The European Commission recently announced new restrictions<\/a> to try and stem the flow.<\/p>\n The US Department of the Treasury introduced sanctions to reduce Russian energy revenues<\/a> by blocking Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, and imposing new measures to tackle the \u2018shadow fleet\u2019 of opaque operations and traders, in January.<\/p>\n