Britain on Thursday imposed sanctions on several Russian oil companies and Canadian-Pakistani billionaire Murtaza Lakhani. The measures aim to increase pressure on Moscow over the Ukraine war. Authorities targeted 24 individuals and entities, including Russia’s largest remaining unsanctioned oil firms: Tatneft, Russneft, NNK-Oil, and Rusneftegaz.
The sanctions are designed to make it harder for Russia to trade its oil globally. In October, Britain and the US had already sanctioned Russia’s two biggest oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft. The latest move continues Western efforts to tighten restrictions on Moscow’s energy sector.
Read more: UK imposes fresh sanctions on Russia to curb war funding
The EU also imposed sanctions on 41 additional ships in Russia’s “shadow fleet” on Thursday. These vessels seek to bypass Western trading restrictions, according to officials. Russia has repeatedly dismissed such sanctions as politically motivated.
Murtaza Lakhani and his companies were included in the latest package. The British government noted that Lakhani’s firms have become some of the largest traders of Russian oil since 2022. The EU had sanctioned him earlier in the week.
The sanctions are part of broader international efforts to pressure Russia economically. Officials said the measures target key players in Russia’s oil industry to limit its revenue and global influence.