UK blacklists Slavneft and says it now sanctions all ten of Russia’s top oil producers
The package also targets Rosneft's flagship Arctic venture Vostok Oil, major coal companies, and 11 ships linked to Russian oil and gas.
On 12 November, the UK sanctioned Russian oil company Slavneft, becoming the first nation to target each of Russia's ten primary oil producers. Prime Minister Andy Burnham unveiled this move during his arrival at the European Political Community summit in Dublin, coinciding with peace talks in Abu Dhabi following recent discussions in that region.
Burnham emphasized that while peace talks on Ukraine have advanced, complacency remains unwarranted. The primary objective behind these sanctions is to disrupt Russia's war economy, as oil revenues accounted for around a quarter of its budget in 2023, according to the UK government. The sanctions list now includes 20 designations: nine entities and 11 ships.
Apart from Slavneft, the entities consist of petrochemical company Sibur Holding, engineering firm Nipigazpererabotka, coal companies SUEK and Kuzbassrazrezugol, as well as trading firms Forteza, Patera, and Novus Energy. The UK suspects Novus of engaging with vessels already under UK sanctions. Additionally, LLC Vostok Oil, identified as Rosneft's flagship Arctic venture, faces asset freezing, a prohibition on trust services, director disqualification, and transport sanctions.
Five ships are suspected of transporting Russian oil or oil products to non-Russian nations, while five LNG tankers are accused of carrying Russian gas. The eleventh listed entity, Koryak FSU, is jointly owned and operated by Novatek. The UK's sanctions have evolved since January 2025, with previous targets including Rosneft, Lukoil, Tatneft, Russneft, NNK-Oil, and Rusneftegaz Group.
By October 2026, the UK had listed Zarubezhneft and INK Capital, asserting that their sanctions covered approximately 90% of Russia's oil production capacity. The enforcement of these sanctions at sea began in March when the UK authorized its forces to board sanctioned vessels within British waters, and subsequently, in June, British forces intercepted a shadow-fleet vessel named Smyrtos in international waters, marking the first UK-led operation of this nature.
This action has prompted ships under UK sanctions to alter their routes, according to Defense Secretary Wes Streeting.
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