"We continue to take action regarding sanctions against Russia directly – targeting all individuals who assist Russia in financing the war against Ukraine. Today, I discussed this with the British Foreign Secretary during his visit to Ukraine. It is crucial that we continue to exert pressure on the 'shadow tanker fleet' of [illegitimate President of the Russian Federation Vladimir] Putin, which transports oil around the world and generates revenue for Russia to fund terror and war," said Zelensky.
He identified the United Kingdom as one of the leaders in pressuring Russia's 'shadow fleet.'
"However, it is important to impose sanctions not only against the tankers themselves and the companies associated with them, but also against the captains of these vessels and all involved individuals. Ukraine has such a sanctions decision, and we will extend it to the jurisdictions of our partners," added the President of Ukraine.
"Interfax-Ukraine" explained that one of Zelensky's decrees on the imposition of sanctions by the National Security and Defense Council specifically concerns the captains of the 'shadow fleet' tankers.
The agency notes that 57 individuals listed in the decree – 56 Russians and one Iranian – are indeed the captains of tankers, some of whom are already under international sanctions.
Consequently, Ukraine has imposed sanctions against the captains of the tanker Liberty, Nikolai Tsoma; the captain of Bolero, Grigory Motaylenko; the captain of Cassiopeia, Alexander Yurpalov; the captain of Callisto, Alexander Filkin; the captain of Moti, Evgeny Bezrukov; the captain of Fjord Seal, Igor Kucherov; and the captain of Daksha, Ali Mohseni.
The President of Ukraine's Commissioner for Sanctions Policy, Vladislav Vasyuk, explained on Facebook that the captains of the Russian tanker fleet who fall under Ukrainian sanctions will be held personally accountable for assisting Russia in circumventing the price cap on oil and petroleum products.
"The tanker fleet is one of the key sources of income for Russia, funding its military budget. That is why it is essential to consistently cut off the aggressor's avenues for enrichment in violation of sanctions. These restrictions will complicate Russia's search for new captains for its vessels and will demonstrate to those already working for the aggressor's tanker fleet that they will have to pay a personal price for their involvement," he emphasized.
Vasyuk also announced other decisions following the NSDC meeting.