UK announces more Russia sanctions over Ukraine war

By : AFP

Date: 12 September 2025 12:55pm WAT

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the nation in Kyiv early on February 25, 2022. - Invading Russian forces pressed deep into Ukraine as deadly battles reached the outskirts of Kyiv, with explosions heard in the capital early Friday that the besieged government described as "horrific rocket strikes". The blasts in Kyiv set off a second day of violence after Russian President Vladimir Putin defied Western warnings to unleash a full-scale ground invasion and air assault that quickly claimed dozens of lives and displaced at least 100,000 people. (Photo by Handout / UKRAINE PRESIDENCY / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Ukraine presidency / handout" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Britain on Wednesday announced fresh sanctions against Russia, targeting military weapons, equipment suppliers, and its shadow fleet as UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper visited Kyiv.

Security analysts say Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of ageing vessels is used by Moscow to circumvent international sanctions that ban it from selling oil.

“The UK continues to lead the charge against the shadow fleet carrying Russian oil exports. Today, 70 more ships in the fleet have been sanctioned. The UK has now targeted more oil tankers than any other country,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The fresh round of sanctions also hits 30 firms and individuals “propping up Russia’s war machine by supplying key equipment such as electronics, chemicals, and explosives used to manufacture missiles and other weapons systems”, it added.

Companies on the list included China-based electronics supplier Shenzhen Blue Hat International Trade Co. Ltd. and its two Russian co-owners, Elena Malitckaia and Alexey Malitskiy.

Others included Turkey-based Mastel Makina Ithalat Ihracat Limited Sirketi and its CEO, Azerbaijani national Shanlik Shukurov.

Newly appointed Foreign Secretary Cooper arrived in Kyiv earlier Friday.