Keir Starmer unleashes new sanctions onslaught on Russia to starve Putin's war machine

Keir Starmer is expected to confirm plans to sanction up to 100 oil tankers responsible for carrying more than $24 billion worth of cargo since the start of 2024

The UK will slap fresh sanctions on Russia's shadow fleet to crank up pressure on Vladimir Putin's war machine.

Keir Starmer is expected to confirm plans to sanction up to 100 oil tankers responsible for carrying more than $24 billion worth of cargo since the start of 2024.

The dark fleet is bankrolling the Kremlin’s illegal war in Ukraine by exporting Russian oil under the radar to avoid Western bans.

Dangerous and aging ships have reportedly damaged critical undersea cables in the Baltic Sea, which carry telecommunications data, and vital energy supplies such as electricity, oil and gas.

The PM will attend a meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) of Nordic allies today, where leaders will discuss protecting subsea infrastructure and ramping up support for Ukraine.

Mr Starmer said: “Every step we take to increase pressure on Russia and achieve a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine is another step towards security and prosperity in the UK.

"The threat from Russia to our national security cannot be underestimated, that is why we will do everything in our power to destroy his shadow fleet operation, starve his war machine of oil revenues and protect the subsea infrastructure that we rely on for our everyday lives.

"My government will safeguard working people from paying the price from the costly threat Putin’s fleet poses to UK critical national infrastructure and the environment.”

Leaders will also announce an enhanced pact with Ukraine to support its army with training exercises and a disinformation crackdown.

The UK and Norway are also expected to agree a new memorandum of understanding on space domain awareness to track and sharing intelligence on satellites, space debris and other objects flying above Earth.

The Joint Expeditionary Force includes Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Netherlands, Sweden and the UK.