The UK Government has announced a fresh package of 31 sanctions against Russia, targeting vessels linked to Moscow’s liquefied natural gas trade, pro-Kremlin disinformation networks and people accused of serious abuses against Ukrainian civilians and children.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office announced the measures on Wednesday 1 October as ministers sought to increase economic pressure on Russia ahead of the winter.
The package comprises 23 individuals and entities and eight ships. The individuals and entities will face asset freezes, trust services sanctions and director disqualification sanctions, while the individuals will also be subject to travel bans. The eight vessels will face shipping and trade sanctions.
LNG ‘shadow fleet’ targeted
Among the vessels sanctioned are three ships the Government describes as part of Russia’s emerging LNG “shadow fleet”, two vessels providing bunkering services and three Russian-owned ice-class vessels.
The Government says Russia is attempting to develop a new shadow fleet to circumvent sanctions and protect revenue from gas exports, with some of the vessels targeted in the latest package having entered service as recently as July.
Britain has already sanctioned nearly 600 tankers which the Government says have been used to evade Western sanctions and support Russian revenues.
At the same time, the Government has extended targeted and time-limited licensing arrangements covering LNG to support the energy security of Japan and South Korea as those countries transition away from Russian energy.
People accused of abuses against Ukrainian civilians sanctioned
The package also targets eight people whom the UK Government says were involved in the arbitrary detention, torture or ill-treatment of Ukrainian civilians in Russian-occupied territory.
A further seven individuals have been sanctioned over what the Government describes as their role in the indoctrination and militarisation of Ukrainian children, including children deported by Russian authorities.
These are allegations and assessments made by the UK Government in support of the sanctions. The imposition of sanctions is not, by itself, a criminal conviction by a court.
Pro-Kremlin disinformation networks targeted
Seven individuals are also being targeted over alleged involvement in spreading pro-Kremlin disinformation, including four Georgian nationals.
The Foreign Office says the activities range from attempts to legitimise Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territory to service in Russian-installed authorities in occupied South Ossetia.
The Government says the Kremlin spends around £1.3 billion each year on information manipulation. That figure is the UK Government’s assessment.
Government points to record drone attacks
The sanctions were announced after the Government said Russia launched more than 3,100 jet-powered drones into Ukraine during September, exceeding the previous monthly wartime record recorded in August.
Minister for Europe Lord Wood of Anfield said the measures were aimed both at revenues supporting Russia’s war and at people accused of abuses against Ukrainian civilians.
The latest action forms part of the UK’s wider sanctions regime imposed following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.