London adds 24 new names to Russia sanctions list

The United Kingdom has expanded its sanctions regime against Russia, adding 24 new entities and individuals to its restrictive measures, including several additional companies operating in the oil sector.

According to the updated sanctions list published by the UK Foreign Office and cited by European Pravda, the new designations were announced on December 18.

As part of the latest package, the UK imposed sanctions on four more Russian oil companies: Tatneft, Russneft, Russneftegaz and NNK-Oil. These measures build on earlier actions taken in October, when the UK sanctioned Russia’s largest oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil.

The newly announced restrictions also extend beyond the energy sector. The sanctions list now includes Tekstil-Servis, Vata Factory, a cotton wool manufacturer, as well as Saphira Energy, which is registered in the United Arab Emirates.

In addition, three companies based in Uzbekistan have been designated: Fargona Kimyo Zavodi, also known as the Fergana Chemical Plant, Gelion Business Trade, and Chemistry International. Alongside these corporate sanctions, the UK has also targeted five individuals, whose identities were not detailed in the summary.

Under the UK’s sanctions framework, any bank accounts held in the United Kingdom by sanctioned companies will be frozen if identified. Individuals placed under sanctions are subject to asset freezes and travel bans, barring them from entering or transiting through the UK.

The latest measures come against the backdrop of broader Western efforts to tighten pressure on Moscow’s energy revenues.

On the same day, the Council of the European Union introduced new sanctions on more than 40 vessels that are part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of oil tankers, which has been used to bypass existing restrictions on the country’s oil exports.

By Tamilla Hasanova