The Ukrainian president is asking his country’s allies to impose sanctions on its so-called shadow fleet. This fleet illegally transports Russian oil by circumventing sanctions.
Zelensky commented on the oil spill caused by a Russian tanker in the Black Sea on Sunday, calling it an “environmental disaster”.
“But there are even bigger and more dangerous Russian tankers crossing our seas. Stopping this fleet is not only aimed at cutting off the financing of the war, it is aimed at protecting nature”, he stressed in X.
The timeline of the leak and Britain’s stance
On Sunday, there was an oil leak in the Kerch Strait from two Russian tankers, which were seriously damaged due to a storm. The tankers were carrying 9,200 metric tons (62,000 barrels) of petroleum products, Russian state news agency TASS reported.
At the moment, the amount of oil that has leaked into the sea has not been specified. However, it may be one of the biggest environmental disasters to hit the region in recent years.
In the meantime, Britain has announced that it is imposing sanctions on 20 ships, which have been imposed against Russia. One of the recent sanctions received by London against the shadowy Russian fleet.
«(Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s oil revenues continue to fuel the fires of his illegal war as Ukrainian families are forced to endure cold, dark nights, often without heat, light or electricity, as they are targeted missile attacks by Russia“, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized.
Besides, the EU adopted yesterday the 15th package of sanctions against Russia, which includes measures against its shadow fleet.
