The United Kingdom has imposed new sanctions on six Russian banks, including Ozon Bank, alongside several vessels linked to the country's shadow fleet and importers of rare metals.
The measures, announced on Thursday, represent the latest escalation in British efforts to degrade Russia's financial infrastructure and disrupt its energy export capabilities.
The crackdown specifically targets entities facilitating the circumvention of existing restrictions.
By adding these lenders and shipping assets to the official sanctions list, London aims to tighten the noose around Russia's war economy.
The move follows a recent operation in which British authorities intercepted an oil tanker in the English Channel connected to the shadow fleet, signaling a shift from diplomatic pressure to tangible enforcement actions.
This development builds on a broader pattern of UK sanctions expansion.
In recent weeks, the government added 19 new entries to its sanctions regime, including seven banks and six vessels, targeting entities linked to Russian military and industrial complexes. The inclusion of rare-metal importers highlights the widening scope of restrictions beyond traditional energy and defense sectors.