UK's new wave of sanctions designed to destroy Putin's shadow fleet fuelling war effort

The UK has announced a fresh wave of sanctions against Russia's so-called shadow fleet, targeting up to 100 vessels.

The tankers, used to secretly move Russian oil around the world, are said to have carried more than $24bn in cargo since the start of 2023.

Some have also reportedly damaged undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.

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Speaking from Norway at a meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "The 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.

"My government will safeguard working people from paying the price from the costly threat Putin's fleet poses to UK critical national infrastructure and the environment."

The JEF is a military coalition of 10 European nations that has been operational since 2018 and includes Nordic and Baltic states, the Netherlands, and the UK.

New initiatives expected from the summit include expanded training exercises and support programmes informed by Ukraine's battlefield experience.

The UK also introduced sanctions during the previous JEF leaders' meeting in December 2024.