London announces new measures against Moscow: sanctions on 6 banks and Russian oil tankers

The United Kingdom announced on Thursday a new package of sanctions against Russia, targeting ships, banks and industrial companies. The measures aim to make it harder to secure revenue from oil exports, income that funds Vladimir Putin’s regime and Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, which in recent weeks appears to have intensified.

According to the British government, the package includes 13 new targets and six other specifications in the legislation related to sanctions against Russia. The list includes six Russian banks, six tankers from the so-called shadow fleet used for oil transportation, and four Russian companies that import tantalum and niobium. These rare minerals are used in the production of weapons deployed in the war in Ukraine.

Since Putin launched the war in Ukraine in 2022, Britain has imposed sanctions on more than 3,400 individuals, entities and vessels as part of its regime of measures against Russia.

London has repeatedly expressed its support for Ukraine. The new Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband, stated that pressure on Russia will continue until a just and lasting peace is secured. The same position was confirmed by the new Defence Secretary, Wes Streeting, during a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart in Kyiv.

Meanwhile, Moscow has repeatedly described the sanctions imposed by Britain as politically motivated measures. So far, Russia has not reacted to the new package and has not announced counter-sanctions.

Russia has also previously imposed measures against the United Kingdom and British citizens. Among those sanctioned is the Albanian professor in England, Andi Hoxhaj, a member of The Royal United Services Institute in London. He was declared persona non grata in Russia and said he feels proud of this sanction, which he said he will print and hang on the wall.