Australia Strikes Kremlin’s Oil Lifeline: First-Ever Sanctions on Shadow Fleet

Australia has imposed sanctions on 60 Russian oil tankers used to evade international embargoes, marking the country’s first direct action against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” and one of its most comprehensive sanction packages to date.

The Gaze reports on this with reference to the announcement made by Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

“These tankers are part of a covert fleet Russia uses to bypass oil sanctions and generate revenue for its war against Ukraine,” Yermak wrote on social media. “Many of these vessels were identified by our international sanctions task force.”

The sanctions will block the tankers from accessing Australian ports, insurance, and maintenance services. 

According to Yermak, this marks the first time Australia has specifically targeted Russia’s maritime sanctions-evasion network.

Australia has now sanctioned more than 1,400 Russian individuals, entities, and assets since the start of the full-scale invasion. 

The action aligns with recent measures by allies: the European Union’s 17th sanctions package, adopted in May, targets nearly 200 shadow fleet vessels, while the United States expanded its own restrictions in January to cover over 180 Russian tankers.

“Australia’s decision is part of a broader transatlantic strategy,” Yermak noted. “Together with Canada, the UK, and the EU, we are cutting off the resources Russia uses to fuel its aggression. We are grateful for Australia’s unwavering support.”

As The Gaze reported earlier, on May 18, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally thanked Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the long-awaited delivery, which includes 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks.