EU sanctions operators of Russia’s "shadow fleet" over war against Ukraine

The Council of the European Union on Monday, December 15, expanded its sanctions in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, imposing restrictions on five individuals and four companies involved in operating Russia’s so-called "shadow fleet," according to a statement published on the EU’s website.

The sanctions target business figures linked to Russia’s oil majors Rosneft and Lukoil, including executives and beneficiaries of the Azerbaijani company 2Rivers Group (formerly Coral Energy) — Anar Madatli, Talat Safarov, and Etibar Eyub — as well as Pakistani businessman Murtaza Lakhani and Russian national Valery Kildiyarov.

The sanctions list also includes shipping companies from the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, and Russia that own or operate tankers used by the shadow fleet. These companies are Nova Shipmanagement LLC-FZ (formerly Sterling Ship Management), Citrine Marine SPC, Hung Phat Maritime Trading, and Severtransbunker.

The restrictive measures include an asset freeze, a ban on financial transactions with EU citizens and companies, and travel restrictions, including a ban on entry into or transit through the European Union for the sanctioned individuals.

The EU officially approved its previous, 19th sanctions package against Russia in late October, with the next major package expected in early 2026.

• On December 13, Ukraine introduced its largest-ever sanctions package targeting Russia’s shadow fleet, identifying 656 vessels. The total number of vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet is estimated at more than 1,500 ships involved in Russian trade flows, with a core group of around 65 vessels playing a central role.