EU Expands Sanctions Against Key Figures in Russia's Oil Trading Network

Dec 16, 2025 05:57 am CST

The European Union has intensified efforts to curb Russia's oil revenue by imposing fresh sanctions on nine individuals and entities supporting Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers. Key targets include traders Murtaza Lakhani and Etibar Eyyub, who have been instrumental in helping Moscow circumvent Western sanctions on crude exports that finance Russia's war in Ukraine. Despite 19 previous sanction packages, Russia continues oil exports to India and China through a shadow fleet operating outside Western maritime regulations.