EU Sanctions Target Russia Shadow Fleet12/16 06:16

   The European Union on Monday slapped sanctions on five businessmen linked to 
Russian state-owned oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft and targeted companies 
accused of circumventing sanctions on Russian oil by running ships for Moscow's 
shadow fleet of aging oil tankers.

   BRUSSELS (AP) -- The European Union on Monday slapped sanctions on five 
businessmen linked to Russian state-owned oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft and 
targeted companies accused of circumventing sanctions on Russian oil by running 
ships for Moscow's shadow fleet of aging oil tankers.

   Oil revenue is a key part of Russia's economy, allowing President Vladimir 
Putin to pour money into the war effort against Ukraine without worsening 
inflation for everyday people and avoiding a currency collapse.

   Member countries, notably France, have vowed to crack down on the 
sanction-busting shadow fleet which experts estimate numbers over 400 ships. 
They are also trying to secure deals with flag-carrying countries to make it 
easier to board the vessels.

   EU headquarters said the businessmen "control vessels transporting crude oil 
or petroleum products, originating in Russia or being exported from Russia, 
concealing the actual origin of the oil, while practicing irregular and 
high-risk shipping practices."

   The four shipping companies targeted are based in the United Arab Emirates, 
Vietnam and Russia. A statement said they own or manage shadow fleet tankers 
under sanctions and which transport oil "while practicing irregular and 
high-risk shipping practices."

   The sanctions, which were agreed at a meeting of the 27-nation bloc's 
foreign ministers in Brussels, involve mostly asset freezes and travel bans.

   The EU move adds to growing pressure on the shadow fleet. Last month, 
Ukraine used domestically produced Sea Baby naval drones to strike two more 
Russian oil tankers in the Black Sea. Both were under international sanctions.

   Separately, the bloc imposed sanctions on members of Russia's military 
intelligence agency, GRU, and a hacking group known as Cadet Blizzard, accusing 
them of cyber attacks targeting Ukraine, the EU and unnamed NATO allies.

   The EU also added a number of foreign policy analysts and influencers 
accused of promoting pro-Russian propaganda or conspiracy theories to its 
sanctions list.