UK announces 31 new Russia sanctions on LNG shadow fleet, disinformation and abuses

The United Kingdom on 1 October announced a package of 31 sanctions against Russia intended to constrain war funding, disrupt disinformation networks and target those responsible for torturing Ukrainian civilians and deporting Ukrainian children, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said.

What the package covers

The measures comprise 23 individuals and entities and eight ships. Designated people face asset freezes, trust-services and director-disqualification sanctions and travel bans; the ships face shipping and trade sanctions. Vessels include three shadow-fleet ships, two providing bunkering services and three Russian-owned ice-class vessels, some of which entered service as recently as July 2026. Eight people are cited for arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment of Ukrainian civilians in occupied territories; seven others for indoctrination and militarisation of Ukrainian children. The government estimated about 6,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly relocated to so-called “re-education” camps. Seven individuals, including four Georgian nationals, are targeted for spreading pro-Kremlin disinformation.

Context

The FCDO said Russia fired over 3,100 jet-powered drones into Ukraine in September, and that drone and missile strikes in the past week killed at least 44 civilians and injured 315. Minister for Europe Lord Wood of Anfield said: “We are targeting both the revenues that help sustain Russia’s aggression and perpetrators of horrendous crimes against Ukrainian civilians, including children.” The UK also noted targeted, time-limited LNG licensing extensions for Japan and South Korea’s energy security.