The Council of the European Union has imposed new sanctions on more than 40 vessels that form part of Russia's so-called shadow fleet of oil tankers, which helps boost Moscow's revenues from energy exports.

Source: the Council's official statement, as reported by European Pravda

Details: On Thursday 18 December, further 41 vessels were added to the list of ships subject to a ban on access to EU ports as well as restrictions on a wide range of maritime-related services.

According to the statement, the measure targets tankers belonging to Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin's shadow fleet that circumvent the oil price cap mechanism or support Russia's energy sector. It also applies to vessels involved in transporting military equipment for Russia and those linked to the shipment of stolen Ukrainian grain or cultural property.

The decision brings the total number of sanctioned vessels to nearly 600 and is closely linked to recent measures listing nine entities that facilitate the operation of the shadow fleet.

Background:

• Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said earlier that Russia is stepping up hybrid attacks against European states to test their resilience, including in the Baltic Sea.
• In June, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned that the Baltic Sea region is becoming a dangerous geopolitical hotspot.
• Prior to that, Lithuania's President Gitanas Nausėda said that Russia is deliberately stoking tension in the Baltic Sea.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon !