Mistress of pressure: UK introduces new sanctions against Russia

The press service of the Office of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a new package of sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine. The list includes ships for the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG), banks, as well as foreign companies. The details can be found in the Izvestia article.

New UK sanctions

On June 16, the United Kingdom announced the adoption of new sanctions against Russia. This is stated in a statement by the Office of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, timed to coincide with the Group of Seven meeting, which began in Evian, France.

According to a document published on Tuesday morning, 43 new positions were added to the sanctions list, including banks that fell under increased restrictions (including a ban on correspondent relations and payment processing). Among them are Rosgosstrakh and Yandex Bank.

In addition, the restrictions also affected 27 vessels linked, according to London, to the Russian Federation, including three LNG carriers. Thus, according to the UK government, with the new package of sanctions, the number of vessels allegedly linked to the "shadow fleet" and Russian LNG, against which the country has imposed sanctions, will exceed 600.

Restrictions were also imposed on 11 individuals and 32 legal entities. In January-June of this year, the restrictions have already affected about 500 individuals, organizations, and courts.

At the same time, it is reported that the UK has become the first G7 country to impose sanctions against several Russian gas carriers.

"The sanctions also affected suppliers of critical military equipment from third countries, including China, Thailand, and Turkey," the British government said in a statement.

Restrictions have been imposed on several organizations and one legal entity registered in Nigeria, which the United Kingdom authorities claim is helping Moscow circumvent sanctions.

How the UK imposed sanctions on Russia

The United Kingdom, being an EU member, joined the anti-Russian sanctions in 2014 after the reunification of Crimea with the Russian Federation. After leaving the bloc, the UK retained the previously existing restrictions against the Russian Federation and began to introduce new ones.

After February 2022, the pressure from London was intensified. Since then, hundreds of companies, banks, individuals, and legal entities have been sanctioned by the kingdom.

Financial constraints have become one of the key areas of British policy. The largest Russian banks were sanctioned. The UK has also restricted access of Russian organizations to the kingdom's capital markets and operations in pounds sterling.

Trade restrictions have also taken a significant place in the country's sanctions strategy. The United Kingdom has imposed a ban on exports to Russia of dual-use goods, high-tech products, equipment for the oil and gas industry, aviation equipment and components, luxury goods and a number of industrial goods. At the same time, supplies of Russian metals, coal, timber, and other products to the UK were limited.

Over time, the focus has shifted to combating sanctions evasion. The country's authorities have become more active in monitoring the activities of companies from third countries involved in technology supplies and financial transactions for the benefit of Russian organizations. Additional measures have been introduced against intermediaries, shipping companies, and structures that ensure the operation of Russia's so-called "shadow fleet."

What will happen next

At the end of last week, the UK Department of Commerce announced that from January 1, 2027, a complete ban on the import of diesel fuel and aviation kerosene produced from Russian oil in third countries will come into force in the country.

The kingdom banned the import of such petroleum products back in October 2025. However, on May 20 of this year, a license was issued, removing them from the anti-Russian sanctions. The ministry's statement also stressed that the temporary license expires on January 1, 2027, after which the import of these fuels from refined Russian oil will be completely prohibited.

"The Secretary of State has the right to change, revoke or suspend this license at any time. The Secretary of State will seek to give four months notice of any decision to revoke this license," the British government noted.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in turn, on June 5 during the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2026) said that the Russian economy continues to develop, despite the sanctions. He stressed that the fundamental foundations of the development of the Russian economy are stable and have a good prospect.